Kinloss, Invaders in first-leg draw

Western Bureau:

With Sunday's first-leg game ending in a 1-1 draw, the stage is now set for an intriguing climax when Invaders FC and Kinloss FC meet in next Sunday's second-leg game in the finals of the 2010-11 Trelawny National Rums of Jamaica Major Football League at the Elleston Wakeland Centre in Falmouth starting at 3 p.m.

At the end of that game, the winners will walk away with a cheque for $150,000, the National Rums of Jamaica trophy, and earn qualification to next season's Captain's Bakery & Grill-sponsored Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) Western Confederation Super Football League.

In Sunday's first leg, Roy-Dean Thomas fired Invaders into the lead. However, the resolute Kinloss FC, who are vying for the double, having already won the competition's mid-season title, drew level through the prolific Ronique Haynes.

For the Invaders team, which qualified for the final on the back of their 4-2 aggregate win, 4-2 and 0-0 semi-final efforts against Flames FC, confidence is still very high in their camp.

"Having made it into the final, our next objective is to win the title, and we are confident that we will," said Invaders' president Dale Walker. "Our long-term plan is to get back into the western super league and we believe we are on course to do just that."

Hungry for success

Kinloss, who have been having an excellent season and got into finals by virtue of their 7-4 on aggregate win against Granville FC, a team they defeated 5-1 in their first-leg contest but lost 3-2 to in the second leg, are ready and raring to go to make their final assault on the title.

"After winning the mid-season final, we are hungry for more success," said Haynes, Kinloss' star striker. "We are confident and ready to get the job done."

In Sunday's first leg, Invaders surprised Kinloss with their resolve, and it was no surprise when they took the lead in the 23rd minute through Thomas, who breached the Kinloss defence with a well-taken goal.

However, with time running out in the half and Invaders becoming increasingly confident in their attacking play, Kinloss caught them on a counterattack and drew level in the 39th minute when the reliable Hayles found the target, making the final score 1-1.