Defending champions Boys' Town advance to KO semi

Ryon Jones, Gleaner Writer

Two-time defending champions Boys' Town took another step towards retaining their Flow Champions Cup Knockout title, after getting the better of neighbours Arnett Gardens 1-0 in the quarter-final match at Collie Smith Drive yesterday.

The all-important goal was netted by Daemion Benjamin in the 76th minute, to guarantee his team a minimum of $200,000 for reaching the semi-finals, while Arnett Gardens pocketed $90,000 for their troubles.

Visitors Arnett Gardens should have taken the lead as early as the third minute, when Boys' Town's custodian, Kirk Porter, and his defender, Asrick Campbell, were involved in a terrible mix-up, allowing Javoni Simms to pounce on the loose ball. However, his attempted lob went wide.

Boys' Town came close to taking the lead on the stroke of half-time through Shane Edwards - an aerial threat all game - but his powerful header was superbly saved by Arnett's keeper, Damion Hyatt.

The Red Brigade were, however, not to be denied, as they produced the game's only goal with 14 minutes remaining. Second-half substitute Jamiel Hardware expertly controlled a long ball out of defence, before laying off a pass to Renae Lloyd, who crossed to the back post where Benjamin executed a diving header.

Boys' Town's head coach, Andrew Price, was very pleased about his team's first win over Arnett Gardens in four attempts this season.

"It is the first game we have played them for the entire season that we have actually played at home, so we definitely had to push home our advantage from very early and the team was very comfortable today," Price highlighted.

fighting effort

Paul 'Tegat' Davis, head coach of Arnett Gardens, is hoping his team can take the same fight they displayed in the game into their Premier League relegation fight.

"I love the effort the guys put out today, and if they can bring the same effort to the rest of the games we have in the Premier League, I am sure we can survive it," Davis expressed.

Boys' Town will now meet arch-rivals Tivoli Gardens - the Premier League leaders - in the semi-finals, after the latter got by St Catherine Division One form team Frazer's Whip 1-0, courtesy of an 81st- minute strike from Owen Powell, at Spanish Town Prison Oval.

The other semi-final will be contested between St Georges and Sandals Whitehouse, who scored contrasting wins over Portmore United and Santos, respectively.

Sandals Whitehouse got by Santos 4-1 on penalties, after the two were locked at one-all following the completion of full and extra time at the Corporate Area Super League team's Bell-Chung Oval.

Kenrick Preston (34th) gave Santos the lead, but this was cancelled out by Gervin Campbell (38th).

A 56th-minute Richard Watson goal was enough to secure St Georges' passage in the all-Premier League matchup at Portmore's home ground, Ferdie Neita Park.