Home - The Star
June 12, 2012
Star Sport


 

Perfect play-off for Cavalier

Cavalier's Norman Bailey (second left) celebrates with his teammates after scoring his team's equaliser against Volvo in a recent Jamaica Football Federation Confederation play-off match. Bailey's teammates (from left) are Geovannie Samuda, Damion Jackson and Anthony Dawes. The game ended 1-1 but Cavalier were later awarded full points after their opponents fielded an ineligible player. - Ian Allen

Cavalier ended a remarkable play-off series beating Volvo FC 1-0 and, in the process, created history as the only team to win all six games while qualifying rather easily.

The Kingston and St Andrew Football Association (KSAFA) champions edged Eastern Confederation champions Volvo courtesy of a late Fabian Nethersole strike in the 89th minute and finished with maximum 18 points from six games.

Savannah FC, the Western Confederation champions, played to a 0-0 draw with New Green and ended second in the four-team playoffs with 10 points.

New Green of Manchester, the South Central champions, finished third on three points ahead of Volvo on two points.

It was Cavalier's third away win following 1-0 win over New Green at Brooks Park and 4-1 win over Savannah at Frome Sports Complex to complete a remarkable campaign.

Cavalier scored 13 goals and conceded only once in six games while getting a 3-0 winning margin against Volvo in the first round.

After playing to a 1-1 draw at Collie Smith Drive, Volvo lost the point after using an ineligible player.

Cavalier created history by being the first team to finish with maximum points, and Coach David Laylor was happy.

"We wanted to be a part of history and I was a little nervous on the bench. It feel like a dream," said Laylor.

"The sky's the limit for the premier league, and we are now looking forward to it," he added.

"It's a good thing for us as it keeps us winning and focused and shows that we are a winning team," said Laylor.

Cavalier, winners of the premier league in 1982, will be making a return to top-flight football for the first time since being relegated in 1995.

"The premier league teams will not be new or a surprise for us. We played knockouts against them, and played practice games against them, and we have always done well," he pointed out.

Meanwhile, Savannah of Westmoreland, who also gained promotion to the premier league, have replaced fellow parish team Reno FC, who were relegated last season.

They finished a distant second on 10 points in one of the most one-sided playoffs seen for a long time.

Outside of Cavalier, the other three teams were really weak and it shows the distance in quality between KSAFA and other confederation teams.

The parishes of Manchester and St Ann will have to go back to the drawing boards in their efforts to play at the highest level in Jamaica.

Bookmark and Share
Home | Gleaner Blogs | Gleaner Online | Go-Jamaica | Go-Local | Feedback | Disclaimer | Advertisement | Privacy Policy | Contact Us