Caribbean Strikers, Jungle 12 top Insports Community finals

Ryon Jones, Gleaner Writer

Caribbean Strikers and Jungle 12 crowned themselves parish champions for Kingston and St Andrew, respectively, in the inaugural Institute of Sports (INSPORTS) All-Island Community Football Championship Sunday at the Barbican playing field.

Jungle 12 got the better of Franklyn Town 2-0 on the back of goals from Sanjay Murdock and an own goal. Murdock gave his team the lead in the 65th minute.

Twenty minutes later, Jungle 12 doubled their lead when Dennis Levy rounded goalkeeper Ricardo Wallace and kicked the ball towards the goal. Franklyn Town's Nicholas Francis made a desperate attempt to clear the ball, but only succeeded in turning the ball into his own net.

Franklyn Town's coach, Michael Allen, said: "I am really disappointed, but we can bounce back and come again, I really believe in them, so we just have to go and do the work," Allen said. "Our midfielders didn't play anything; they just played flat and cost us the game."

Delroy Ferguson, coach of Jungle 12, was proud of his players.

Ferguson said: "It is great to be the winner of the St Andrew division, it is really great. All the players played their hearts out, a lot of them were injured but they still fought. The person who came up with INSPORTS corner league is a wonderful person; it has brought back a love to the community, and everybody wants to come out and support Jungle 12 from August Town."

The day's second encounter saw two Spanish Town Road-based teams - Caribbean Strikers and Romantic United - battle in the Kingston final. The game was decided by two second-half goals from Caribbean Strikers' captain, Patrick Hall.

Beautiful dribble

The first goal did not come until the 70th minute when Caribbean Strikers' Cleon Henry made a beautiful dribble down the right flank before crossing to Hall, who caressed the ball with the outside of his right foot into the upper left corner of the goal. Five minutes later, the match was killed off as a contest when Hall outran the Romantic defence and scored easily.

Jungle 12 and Caribbean Strikers will now move on to the all-island final, where they will go up against other parish champions as they vie for the top prize of a $500, 000. All hope is not lost for Franklyn Town and Romantic United, as they will meet next week Sunday to challenge for the final spot in the round of 16.