Paul Clarke, Star Writer

Western Bureau:

The Livingston 'Joey' Burley-coached Chantilly Forever upstaged overwhelming title favourites Sandals Whitehouse 1-0 in stunning fashion in Thursday's Captain's Bakery and Grill Westmoreland FA Major League first-leg semi-final at Whitehouse.

It took a 68th-minute Rojay Simpson strike to separate the teams, and give Chantilly the slight edge heading into Monday's return leg.

"Give thanks to the Almighty, it was work well done," said Burley.

"Overall, it was a very good and positive performance from my team. The players did what was required, but the real test is in the return leg."

Sandals, who dismissed Race Course 2-1 to lift the mid-season title, entered the match as odds-on favourites, having beaten the same opponents two times already this season, but their game plan was upstaged by some tremendous work in midfield by the Chantilly players.

Burley worked his magic when he opted to start the half-fit Simpson and the attacking midfielder proved the right man for the job when he fired his team into the lead, after they escaped conceding on several occasions.

"He (Simpson) is just coming back to full fitness, but his performance was big for us. That goal gives us more confidence for Monday's return game at home, where we are much stronger," said Burley.

Aaron Lawrence, the Sandals Whitehouse head coach, will want to rethink his strategy and go all out for the victory on Monday, but Burley believes his advantage remains in his team's ability to adjust.

"We have adjusted well against Sandals, and the same will be applied in the next game. We are very confident of striking again to lock up this semi-final and to make our presence felt in the final against whichever team," he said.

He was speaking of the other semi-final clash between Race Course and Savannah Under-21s, which ended in a 2-0 victory for Race Course, for which Martin Williams (21st minute) and Carlton Barrett (51st) netted to secure the advantage for their club.

On Monday, Chantilly will put their slender advantage on the line in the return leg against Sandals Whitehouse at the Llandilo field, while Savannah will try to rebound in their semi-final against Race Course at the Truro field. Match time in both games is at 3:30 p.m.