BB Coke reign supreme in Ben Francis final

Western Bureau:

BB Coke ended their history-making season in style, after beating Garvey Maceo on penalties in a drama-filled ISSA Ben Francis final at Montego Bay Sports Complex yesterday.

After progressing beyond Second Round of the daCosta Cup for the first time in their history, BB Coke added a first ever major schoolboy football title to their CV, after holding their nerves to win 4-2 on penalties over Garvey Maceo, after both teams had play out a see-saw 2-2 scoreline in regulation time.

Jason Dyer ensured he grabbed a piece of the headlines, netting his 20th goal of the season for the Junction-based BB Coke, which saw a Garvey Maceo claw away at a two goal cushion to force the game into a penalty shootout.

Kemar Ricketts coach of BB Coke, applauded his players’ performance, while adding that their extra preparation for penalty kicks made the difference.

‘Wonderful feeling

“It’s a wonderful feeling and I must lift my hats off to the boys. It’s about them, I only prepared them but they went out and executed,” Ricketts said.

“From season we have been practising penalties, from the start of the Knockouts. We practise penalties this morning again because I had it in mind that we might go to penalties, so we had to be prepared,” he added.

It didn’t always look like it was heading there.

Dyer sent a precise header edging the underside the crossbar to give a rampant BB Coke a well deserved lead in the 33rd minute, shocking the pre-game favourites Garvey Maceo.

They doubled their advantage just two minutes after the break, when Kaymani Case, from nine out, gently played the ball off for Christopher Nelson to poke home.

However, after going two goals up, BB Coke took their foot off the accelerator, which allowed Garvey Maceo to peg one back nine minutes later with Marvin Williams capitalising on a defensive error.

Jermaine Muirhead drew the game level for Garvey Maceo heading home a corner from the left channel.

Remarkably, Garvey Maceo got the opportunity to take the lead just before the end of regulation time after being awarded a penalty.

However, in another twist, Barrington Blake skied his effort from the spot way over the crossbar to keep BB Coke alive.

Merron Gordon coach of Garvey Maceo said despite feeling disappointed after the game he is proud of his players and their season.

“I’m disappointed but still proud of the boys. To be in a final where you go down by two goals and to come back 2-2 is good. Yes, we basically got the winner and didn’t capitalise on that late penalty. I think because we missed that penalty it played on the players’ mind and they just weren’t confident going into the kicks,” Gordon said.