The Jamaica Star :: Sport :: Mile Gully nab Manchester Division Two title

Richard Bryan, Freelance Writer

Mile Gully captain Baron Watson Jr. (centre) shares the elation of his teamates while collecting the winning trophy from Simone Scarlett, operations manager of sponsors, Power Services Ltd. Also looking on is Jamaica Football Federation First Vice President and Manchester FA President Dale Spencer. - Richard Bryan

Mile Gully defeated Young Diamonds 4-2 on penalties Sunday to lift the new-look Manchester Division Two football crown sponsored by Power Services Ltd.

The final result effectively ended the 2007-2008 season in which Mile Gully finished runners-up to New Green in the parish's top-flight competition, The Captain's Bakery and Grill Major League.

Earlier, a 1-1 scoreline after regulation and extra time kept both teams in the hunt but decisive shooting as well as the skill of goalkeeper Michael Parcel made the crucial difference for the champions.

Six-yard box

Shane Cousins put Mile Gully in the lead after 19 minutes, when, with his back to goal just on the edge of the six-yard box, turned expertly to volley past goalkeeper Rohan Stephenson, who could only manage a minor deflection. Young Diamonds, who had finished the preliminary round on top, got the equaliser from Robert Barrett.

The game thereon was evenly played with both teams guilty of squandering good opportunities to score. Penalties offered the only decisive difference and Baron Watson Jr, the captain and son of the Mile Gully coach, kicked things off by scoring first. Shane Cousins made it 2-0 before Brian Morrison pulled one back. Parcel produced three saves in goal while Dave Morgan and Shenaldo Parkes, the latter a new national U-17 recruit, scored to ensure Mile Gully did not finish the season empty handed.

Winning coach Barry Watson, who will coach Manchester High in next season's daCosta Cup, said participation in the league has definitely provided a head start for his 2008 daCosta Cup programme.

In a change from previous years, the Manchester FA decided to mandate teams to focus primarily on selecting U-17 players, a ruling which effectively converted many community teams to fielding mainly players who will line up in the upcoming daCosta Cup competition.