BY HOWARD WALKER, Staff Reporter
Naggo Head goalscorer Harvel Watson controls the ball ahead of Negril FC defender Junical Bruce during yesterday's National Premier League play-off at Ferdie Neita Park. Watson's goal gave Naggo Head a 1-0 win, securing their spot in the 2006-2007 Wray and Nephew Premier League. - IAN ALLEN
HARVEL WATSON YESTERDAY fired Naggo Head into next season's Wray and Nephew Premier League with a 45th-minute goal, giving his team a 1-0 win over Negril FC at Ferdie Neita Park.
The St. Catherine-based Naggo Head join fellow first-time qualifiers August Town as the two promoted teams in the 2006-2007 Premiership season.
In the afternoon's other game, St. George's FC defeated August Town 2-0 courtesy of Richard Knibbs and David Taylor goals in the 59th and 68th minutes respectively.
However, August Town of the Kingston and St. Andrew Football Association (KSAFA) finished atop the four-team standing with 10 points.
Naggo Head, the south central representative, finished second on nine points. Negril FC, the Western Confederation champions ended on seven and St. George's, the Eastern Confederation winners, finished last with six points.
Naggo Head turned in a dominating performance in front one of the biggest crowds this season at Ferdie Neita Park, the home ground of Portmore United.
Naggo Head started the day on six points, one behind Negril FC on seven and had to win to qualify.
From the opening whistle, the home team attacked relentlessly through captain Patrick Edmondson, Carlos Barrett, Bridgeport High schoolboy Kenardo Forbes, Harvel Watson and Nicholas Forbes, but had to wait until the stroke of half time to get the break through.
A corner kick was headed across the goal by Mark Wint and Watson rammed home from close range and the home fans went into a frenzy.
It was a deserved goal for the relentless pressure exerted by Naggo Head.
EQUALISER
All of a sudden, the entire complexion of the game changed and Negril had to come forward in search of the equaliser.
Coach Jerome Waite, brought on his trump cards, Howard Phillips and Roderick Christie, at the start of the second half but to no avail as Naggo Head could have increased the score.
A surging run by Nicholas Forbes ended when he was fouled in the box. The speedy player dusted himself off and took the spot kick but booted wide of the upright.
Several chances went abegging after, with Carlos Barrett, Kenardo Forbes and substitute Fabian Sines failing to put the game beyond Negril.
The home team then had to survive some anxious moments as Phillips collected a ball in the box and amazingly kicked high with three minutes remaining on the clock.
With the fourth official signalling two minutes of time added on, the celebration began, but could have been halted had Steve Whyte converted from close range.
Harold Thomas, coach of Naggo Head, said the community of Naggo Head deserved to be in the NPL.
"This one is dedicated to the community. The community is happy. It is a football-loving community for many years; they have struggled a long time and I am just happy for them.
"This is a young and talented team and the biggest problem was the mental one, the discipline and to get them to train hard. Hopefully these things will improve as we go into next season," said Thomas, who also coached at relegated Rivoli last season.
Meanwhile, Jerome Waite of Westmoreland outfit Negril FC said his team tried hard but it was not good enough.
"What I had to work with is not so much of any level in terms of quality. Technically, they are weak and all in all they did good but it wasn't enough," he added.
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