‘It’s an overwhelming feeling’

Tasked with the arduous role of preparing his team without a playing field on which to train, Fabian Swaby, head coach of the RJRGLEANER Communications Group team, said it was an overwhelming feeling to lift the Xpress Sports-sponsored Kingston and St Andrew Business House Division One football title.

RJRGLEANER dethroned National Housing Trust (NHT) 2-0 in Saturday’s final at Ashenheim Stadium, Jamaica College.

Goals from Keanu Barrett in the 45 plus three minutes and Lincoln Cassell in the 85th minute guided the team to the coveted title.

Meanwhile, Scotiabank crowned themselves champions in the Division Two final, winning 2-0 against ATL. Otra Baker (43rd) and Stephen Barnett (53rd) scored for Scotiabank.

FILLED WITH PRIDE

RJRGLEANER’s Swaby was a coach filled with pride as he praised his players for their efforts against a strong NHT unit.

He said their win was all the more impressive as they had been without a designated field on which to train and were forced to put most of their preparations into strength training.

“I’m very overwhelmed about the victory,” Swaby said. “It was a hard-fought victory, and the reason why I feel so overwhelmed is that we didn’t have a field to train, we just had to do mostly hills and sands.

“So for a team that did not actually have a field to do technical work, and to then come and win the Division One title, it’s an overwhelming feeling.”

The first half was an even contest before Barrett opened the scoring just before the half-time whistle with a well-placed free kick that flew above the head of the NHT goalkeeper.

As they went in search of the equaliser in the second half, NHT had large spells of possession and RJRGLEANER played with a deep-sitting defence.

GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY

They had a golden opportunity on the hour mark when Orane Ferguson broke through on goal, but he took just a second too long to pull the trigger, and saw his shot deflected for a corner.

Cassell would sink NHT’s hopes when, with five minutes left on the clock, he doubled his team’s lead with a shot high into the net.

Shaun Daley, head coach of NHT, said while disappointed with the result, he was proud of the team effort he had seen from his players.

“We can take a lot of spirit and a lot of motivation from being in the final for the second year running,” he said.

“This shows me that we’re doing something good over at NHT with the football team. We just have to take our loss, lick our wounds, and come back again.”

MISSING CROWN

For Swaby, the win was also a personal achievement, as he explained that he had not been able to lift the title when he was a player for RJRGLEANER.

Now as a coach, he is happy to have finally been able to get his hands on the missing crown.

“Winning this championship is something that we’ve talked about and something that I had always wanted,” he said.

“It’s a joy, and it’s a part of my philosophy to win some trophies. As a player, I didn’t get to win it but now I have won it as a coach, so it’s really overwhelming and I love the victory.

“Thanks to the many supporters who came out and were our 12th man. Their cheering spurred us on,” Swaby said.

gregory.bryce@gleanerjm.com