History makers UWI first to reach RSPL playoffs

Photo: Anthony Greenland (#27) congratulates teammate Patrick Brown who scored the UWI winner against Reno on Sunday. It was UWI’s third win over Reno this season and have secured a playoff spot for the first time ever. 

League leaders, the University of the West Indies FC, created history on Sunday when they defeated Reno FC 1-0 to advance to the knock out phase of the Red Stripe Premier League for the very first time, in only their second season in the league.

A Patrick Brown strike in only the 11^th minute of play was enough to settle the contest as UWI registered their third win over Reno this season and climbed to 54 points and opened up a four point gap at the top of the table.

In other games played on Sunday, Marverley/Hughenden FC claimed a vital point in their bid to avoid relegation when they drew with third placed Tivoli Gardens. The league’s leading goal scorer Jermaine Johnson had given the visitors the lead from the penalty spot in the 31^st minute at the Constant Spring Field, but Nicholas Scott got the equalizer a minute after the restart, for the home team.

It was Marverley’s fourth draw in five games and they remain in 11^th place but are now only a point from safety on 25 points. They have the final 45 minutes of their rained out game against main rivals Waterhouse FC to play on Wednesday.

Tivoli has 49 points and are themselves a point away from qualification for the playoffs.

The battle to avoid relegation continues to heat up as bottom placed Boys Town FC stunned fellow strugglers Jamalco FC 2-1 at the Wembley Centre of Excellence. Jameil Hardware gave the Andrew Price coached team the lead in the 17^th minute before Rafiek Thomas doubled the advantage in the 54^th minute. Former Arnett Gardens striker, Michaelos Martin, got a goal back for the home team in the 70^th minute, but it would prove to be just a consolation as Boys Town held on for the win.

The result means the gap between 11^th and 12^th place is now just two points as Boys Town continues to claw their way to safety. Jamalco sit a point outside the relegation zone on 26 points but has played a game more than both teams below them.

Meanwhile in the late game at Drewsland, visitors Harbour View FC stunned the home team Waterhouse FC 1-0 through an 89^th minute winner from Kemar Bennett. The loss ended a seven game unbeaten run by the hosts who slipped back to 9^th place on 28 points as Harbour View climbed above them to 8^th place on 30 points.

The lone Monday night game saw Humble Lion battle to a 1-1 draw with hosts Montego Bay United at the Catherine Hall Stadium. Ricardo Dennis bundled home the opener for Humble Lion in the 8^th minute before Owayne Gordon restored parity from the penalty spot in minute 68.

Humble Lion remain in second place on 50 points and have also booked their spot in the playoffs, with five games to go in the third round.

Defending champions Montego Bay United are in fourth spot on 47 points from just 25 games and have a make-up game against third placed Tivoli Gardens at Wespow Park on Thursday.