Paul Clarke, Gleaner Writer

WESTERN BUREAU:Sandals Whitehouse will be Westmoreland's participant in the Flow all-island knockout competition, courtesy of their strong 2-0 victory over Super League campaigners Petersfield FC in the final of the Roger Clarke-sponsored championship at Frome Sports Complex on Thursday.

Sandals, who last won the knockout title in 2011, were too much for Petersfield, who are yet reproduce their best form since winning the competition last season and advancing to the Western Confederation Super League.

Oneil Blair gave the Aaron Lawrence-coached Sandals team the lead minutes after the half-time break, his strike coming in the 52nd minute.

However, they had to wait until the 81st minute to put the game to bed, when Dervin Campbell netted, to exact some level of revenge on a Petersfield team that handed them their only loss of the competition last season.

"It is a deserved win for us, I think. Last year, we should have beaten them in the semi-final but did not, but this year we are much more improved so it augurs well for this club," said Lawrence, who was also at the helm when they made a deep run in the Flow knockout two seasons ago.

"When we made the all-island knockout in 2011, we went as far as the semi-final. This time we hope we would have improved enough to go a step or two further by winning the title.

"That is our aim; to bring back a major title to Westmoreland, which has not had a major national title since Reno last won the Premier League crown in 1995," said the former Reno player.

season ranking

The loss was Petersfield's fourth in all competitions this season, after promising much in the Westmoreland Major League last season when they made the final and beat perennial contenders Russia FC 2-1.

Meanwhile, Russia, behind goals from Kavar Walker (41st), Kevin Palmer (76th) and an 89th-minute strike from Donald Hewitt Jr, ran by Delveland 3-0 in the opening match of this season's Captain's Bakery and Grill Westmore-land Major League, which had its launch and dress parade on Thursday.