Reno, Meadows win

Ryon Jones, Gleaner Writer

South Central Confederation Super League champions Meadows got their quest for a place in next season's Digicel Premier League off to a winning start, blanking Eastern Confederation champions Benfica 2-0 at Ferdie Neita Park yesterday.

In the day's other match, three-time Premier League winners Reno got by Kingston and St Andrew Football Association (KSAFA) Super League champions Cavalier 2-0 at Frome Sports Complex.

Sheldon Brian opened the scoring for the Western Confederation Super League winners in the eighth minute before Tremaine Perry made it 2-0 in the 74th.

Meadows took control of their encounter midway into the first half and assumed the lead through the impressive Jason Vassell in the 31st minute.

Vassell controlled the ball on the edge of the 18-yard box before neatly turning two defenders and firing past Benfica's custodian, Ravel Wilson.

Meadows kept asserting pressure but did not increase their lead until five minutes into the second half when Ross Burton scored. Burton robbed Andre Dixon of the ball midway Benfica's half before outpacing the defender and finishing off with a well-placed shot to the right of Wilson.

Gutsy performance

"It was more of a gutsy performance than anything else," said Meadows' coach, Christopher Russell. "In the first half, I thought we put down the ball well and started to play it round, but I have to admit that Benfica gave us a little run for our money."

Rohan Alexander, the coach of Benfica, said: "It is like we never turned up to play football and who turned up is the team that received the glory. I feel that the players came into this game overconfident."