Strong rally hands Old Harbour Bay victory

Anthony Minott, Gleaner Writer

Central St Catherine Under-17 champions, Old Harbour Bay United, led by a double strike from captain Damario Solomon, came from two goals down to outshoot Portmore's champions Rodwood United 4-2 in extra time, in a three-team St Catherine FA Under-17 Champion of Champions Cup football match at Spanish Town Prison Oval on Sunday.

Old Harbour Bay just need to avoid defeat against Treadways tomorrow at the same venue to cop the title. Treadways have a very slim chance of capturing the crown, even though they are without a win after they went down 1-0 to Rodwood last week. They need to score four clear goals against a confident-looking Old Harbour Bay team.

The Waterford-based Rodwood, which played the match with just one reserve player on their bench, jumped to a 2-0 lead through quick strikes from Chevaughn Walcott (34th) and Shane Watson (35th), which left their opponents in disarray.

However, man-of-the-match Solomon gave his side a lifeline when he struck his free kick past goalie Steven Bowes, who had a torrid time in the Rodwood goal.

Extra time

Solomon then forced the game into extra time when his deadly free kick spun out of the grasp of Bowes and into the goal on the stroke of full time.

It was quite clear which team would dominate the bonus period and Old Harbour Bay turned on the heat on the tired legs of the Rodwood players. Solomon was instrumental in the go-ahead goal, as his free kick in the 100th minute was parried by the Rodwood custodian into the path of Kamer Myers, who struck home from close range. Devroy Gray, a top striker for the team, completed the scoring a minute from the end.