Ainsley Walters, Freelance Writer
Meadhaven United's Keammar Daley (right) controls the ball ahead of Wadadah's Raphel Palmer in the National Premier League play-offs at the Constant Spring Complex yesterday. Meadhaven won the game 2-1. - Ricardo Makyn
FAVOURITES Meadhaven and Rivoli United yesterday dispatched Wadadah and York, respectively, to race atop the four-team standings of the Premier League play-off.
Kingston and St Andrew's Meadhaven, who qualified for the play-offs for the first time, edged Wadadah 2-1 at Constant Spring, stalling the Montego Bay team's hopes of a quick return to the Premiership after being demoted two seasons ago.
Leighton Neita put Meadhaven ahead in the 20th before Rohan Reid equalised with a back-post header for Wadadah in the 27th.
However, Rohan Williams' well-timed volley was too slick for goalie Triston Bernard, who might have only heard when the shot left the boot of the midfielder in the 36th minute.
Outclassed
At York Oval in St Thomas, Rivoli, who played in the Premiership up to three seasons ago, outclassed York 4-1, turning up the heat in the second half after going in 0-0 at the break.
Dwayne Hunter opened the scoring for Rivoli in the 57th before Devon Hodges made it 2-0 in the 62nd. Derrick Planter pushed the score to 3-0 in the 71st and Fidel Anderson added the topping in the 85th.
Marvin Powell netted in stoppage time to pull a goal back for first-time play-off qualifiers York.
At Constant Spring, Meadhaven came out strong, pushing back Wadadah but conceded an equaliser shortly after scoring.
Forward Leighton Neita handed Meadhaven the lead by outfoxing his markers, allowing a pass to bounce between two defenders, who expected him to control the ball.
He quickly turned away from his markers who were beaten by the bounce, and easily beat Bernard, who had rushed off his line to mop up the play.
Wadadah's goal came from the most likely source, their captain Reid, the lanky six-footer, who was unbelievably left unmarked at the far post to nod in a corner past Andrew Gibson.
Well-weighted corner
However, Wadadah, sporting at least three players with portly paunches more befitting a masters league match, were no match for the quick Meadhaven youngsters, led in attack by national junior player Keammar Daley.
The young Reggae Boy expertly set up Meadhaven's winner, sending in a well-weighted corner for Williams to hit one-time past Bernard.
Sweeper Robert Palmer should have put Wadadah 3-1 up but had a tame 83rd-minute penalty saved.
After a handball was called on defender Damian Jackson, Palmer twice tried to dummy goalie Bernard, who stood his ground.
Palmer's eventual kick was easily saved by the goalie, diving to his right to stop a weak shot played along the ground.
Palmer's folly didn't end there. He almost gifted Wadadah a draw, playing to the gallery in stoppage time and was dispossessed by Reid just inside the box.
However, the Wadadah midfielder lost his footing, allowing Gibson to rush out of goal and save the day.
The play-offs continue on Wednesday with Rivoli hosting Meadhaven at their Rio Cobre field and Wadadah at home to York.
Scores
York 1 (Marvin Powell - 83rd) / Rivoli 4 (Dwayne Hunter 57th, Devon Hodges 62nd, Derrick Planter 71st, Fidel Anderson 85th)
Meadhaven 2 (Leighton Neita - 20th, Rohan Williams 36th) / Wadadah 1 (Rohan Reid - 27th)
Meadhaven United's Rohan Williams (centre) celebrates with teammate Shawn Hunter after scoring his team's second goal against Wadadah in the National Premier League play-offs at the Constant Spring Complex yesterday. Meadhaven won the game 2-1. - Ricardo Makyn
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