Marverley/Hughenden provides first major upset on day one of RSPL

Day one of what is expected to be a very exciting season in the Red Stripe Premier League produced the first major upset of the new campaign when promoted club Marverley/Hughenden FC defeated defending champions Montego Bay United 2-1 at West Pow Park in St. James.

Marverley/Hughenden has been absent from the league for 22 years and returned with a dream start, clipping the champions through strikes from Nicholas Scott who scored two minutes after the half time interval and Wayne Williams who doubled the lead in the 78^th minute. Otis Friend got the consolation goal for Mobay United six minutes from time. Mobay United has been notoriously slow starters and this has come back to haunt them yet again.

Another stunning result came at the Harbour View Mini-Stadium where the hosts were beaten 3-0 by Tivoli Gardens FC.  Marvin Stewart put the visitors ahead after only eight minutes before a second half brace from former Reggae Boy, Jermaine ‘Teddy’ Johnson put the game to bed. Johnson got his first in the 60^th minute before completing the scoring four minutes later.

Last season’s beaten finalists Portmore United got off to a winning start, edging newcomers Jamalco FC 1-0 at the Juici Park Stadium. Kambuji McCalla got the lone goal in the 71^st minute in the first Clarendon Derby for the season.

Humble Lion FC also got off to a good start when they saw off former champions Boys Town FC 2-0 at the Effortville Community Centre. Levaughn Williams gave the home team the early lead after just four minutes before Ricardo Dennis made the game safe in the 56^th minute.

Last season’s newcomers to the premier league UWI FC got their second season off to a much better start this term when the clipped Waterhouse FC 1-0 at  the UWI Bowl. The lone goal came from the penalty spot when Dwayne Smith converted from 12 yards in the 61^st minute.

The only game of the day which failed to produce a result was played out at the Barbican Field where the match between Arnett Gardens and FC Reno ended in a nil all draw.