Invaders for finals after 0-0 draw

Adrian Frater, News Editor

Western Bureau:

Former parish champions Invaders FC became the first finalists in the 2010-11 Trelawny FA National Rums of Jamaica Major Football League on Tuesday when they played out a 0-0 draw against Flames FC in their second-leg semi-final game in Falmouth.

Invaders had emerged winners of the first-leg game by a 4-2 margin and, as a consequence, took the two-way tie by the same margin. Invaders' opponents in Sunday's final will be known today when mid-season champions Kinloss FC take a 5-1 lead Into their second-leg semi-final against Granville FC.

Although they desperately wanted to repeat their first-leg win against Flames FC, Invaders' president Dale Walker was nonetheless elated that his team had qualified for the final, and is now looking forward to that game with much optimism.

"Making the finally has lifted the spirit of the team and our home community," said Walker. "Our immediate plan at this time is to win the final and qualify for next season's Western Super League."

Williams, hardy score

In their first-leg semi-final win, which happened on their home turf, Invaders got their goals through Paul Hardy and Omar Williams, who both scored twice. Navado Williams and Shermiah Gallimore got Flames' goals.

In today's second-leg decider between Kinloss and Granville, the latter, with their imposing four-goal advantage from the first-leg win on their home turf, look a safe bet to advance to the final.

In the competition's mid-season final which was contested by the two teams, Kinloss came away with a 1-0 win, courtesy of a Ronique Haynes strike.

"We are confident and ready to go out and finish the job," said Haynes, who has been devastating in attack for Kinloss this season. "We believe the hard work was done in the first leg so we just need to just finish the job in this game."

In their first-leg game, Haynes, Glendon Guy, Gareth Bent and Wayne Waldo were the goal-scorers for the Kinloss outfit. Larone Clarke got the lone goal for Granville.

The winners of the competition will take home the prestigious National Rums of Jamaica Trophy, $150,000 in prize money and earn qualification for next season's Captain's Bakery Western Super League.