Giant-killers Santos knock out Benfica

Ryon Jones, Gleaner Writer

Santos have so far been responsible for the elimination of two Premier League teams from the country's top knockout competition, the Flow Champions Cup, as they have established themselves as giant-killers.

Santos, who finished fifth in the recently concluded Kingston and St Andrew Football Association (KSAFA) Super League competition, got by seventh-place Premier League outfit Reno 4-2 on penalties, after the two teams were locked at nil-all finish, subsequent to the playing of full and extra time.

The Carlton Dennis-coached team followed that up with a come-from-behind 3-1 second-round win on Thursday over Benfica, who lie 10th in the Premier League.

Benfica are among six of the country's top-flight teams to have been sent packing from the competition.

In the first round, Village United were surprised 4-1 by Clarendon's Monymusk.

Village United and Benfica are joined on the sidelines by defending Premier League champions Harbour View, who were beaten 3-1 on penalties at home by current league leaders Tivoli Gardens.

The teams had shared two goals after the completion of full and extra time.

Nicholas Scott gave Tivoli the lead in the 48th minute, but Nicholas Beckett pulled the Stars of the East level in the 79th minute.

Matchup

Other casualties of the second round - which was played on Wednesday and Thursday - were Sporting Central Academy, Waterhouse and Humble Lions.

Portmore United eliminated Sporting Central Academy 4-2 on the back of goals from Ricardo Cousins (32nd, 77th) and Steven Morrissey (56th, 61st). Sporting's goals came by way of Hughan Grey (58th) and Marlon Allen (72nd).

The matchup between Waterhouse and St Georges provided late drama, as the Portland-based club ran out to an early two-goal lead, which was given to them by Donovan Davis (10th) and Romeo Parkes (24th).

However, Waterhouse came roaring back through late strikes from Adrian King (80th) and Desmond Breakenridge (90th). The Geoffrey Maxwell-coached St Georges were not to be denied, however, as they prevailed 4-1 on penalties.

Two-time defending champions Boys' Town also had to come from behind to turn back the challenge of last year's beaten finalists Humble Lions.

The Clarendon-based team went ahead in the 44th minute, courtesy of a Denzil Watson goal. But Boys' Town's captain, Michael Campbell, pulled his team level from the penalty spot in the stoppage time.

The Red Brigade won the penalty shoot-out 4-2, with Campbell missing their only spot kick.

In other non-Premier League matchups, Frazer's Whip, with goals from Perrie McPherson (12th) and Juvaun Benjamin (60th), beat Monymusk 2-0, and Sandals White-house, through goals from Dervin Campbell (27th) and Sanjay Spragg (54th), ousted Montpelier 2-0.