Triple treat at the Park - Masters, Major and Division One titles at stake

Adrian Frater, News Editor

Western Bureau:

Three titles will be up for grabs tomorrow afternoon when Jarrett Park, in Montego Bay, plays host to the finals of the Steve Bucknor Masters League, the St James Claro Major League and the St James Claro Division One, in what promises to be an epic triple-header.

While all three games should generate significant interest, the big 7p.m. Masters League final between the star-studded First Choice and Challenger should take pride of place as several former national players, to include national coach Theodore 'Tappa' Whit-more, will be on show.

"We are expecting a very good final as while First Choice is a star-studded unit, Challenger are quite determined," said Brian Miller, the competition's coordinator. "We want the fans to come out because this is a game no genuine fan of the game should miss."

First Choice qualified for the finals fortuitously as after losing their first-leg semi-final 1-0 to Napoli, they were gifted the second-leg game by a 2-0 margin as their opponents were penalised for walking off the field to protest a red card, which was shown to their goalkeeper Kingsley James.

For their part, Challenger qualified for the final by conventional means, clipping Anchovy 1-0 in their second-leg semi-final to win their two-way tie 3-2. The first-leg game had ended in 2-2 draw.

Pursuing first trophy

In their quest to gain their first hold on the Steve Bucknor Masters trophy, the First Choice team will be banking on the likes of Whitmore and his former national teammates Daniel Rickettes, Christopher Harris and Al McFarlane. For their part, Challenger are expected to be very competitive with the likes of David Gordon, Omar Clarke, Andrew Edwards and Andrew Vacianna.

The Claro Senior League final, which is slated for 5 p.m., promises to be an epic affair between perennial contenders Fogo United and Little Miami FC, who played out a 0-0 first-leg draw on Tuesday. With a $150,000 winner's purse and a place in next season's Captain's Bakery Western Super League at stake, an action-packed game is expected.

On their way to the final, Little Miami sent Montego Bay Boys Club packing 4-0 on aggregate as, after playing to a 0-0 draw in their first leg game, they were merciless in the return game, running out impressive 4-0 winners. Fogo sealed their place 5-1 on aggregate after scoring 2-1 and 3-0 wins in their semi-final ties against Granville City.

While the classy Little Miami will be banking heavily on top players Dwayne Hemmings, Alwayne Simms and Jermaine Bowen, the experienced Fogo United will have the likes of Corey Myles, Anthony Minnott and Obrian Streete driving their charge.

In the 3 p.m. curtain-raiser, Rosemount Gardens FC and Norwood Strikers FC will square off for the Claro Division One title, symbol of supremacy in the second tier of St James' football.

During the preliminary phase of the competition, Norwood Strikers topped the standings after recording 16 wins, two draws and two defeats in their 22 games. Rosemount FC were second behind Norwood Strikers with 14 wins, four draws and four defeats in their 22 games.