Everard Owen & Oshane Tobias | Jamaica Observer
BARBICAN FC and Reno FC booked their places in next season’s National Premier League (NPL) after contrasting results in the final round of games in the JFF Confederation All-Island Play-offs yesterday.
KSAFA side Barbican defeated Axum FC 2-1 in St Mary to top the four-team standing on 11 points, two ahead of Reno, who edged out Jamalco FC for the second qualifying spot on goal difference.
Both sides ended goalless in their crucial game at the Wembley Excellence Centre in Clarendon. Axum finished at the bottom of the table on two points.
Former national champions Reno, representing the Western Confed, are returning to top-flight action after a three-year hiatus, while KSAFA’s Barbican will be getting their first taste of premiership football.
At the St Mary Sports Club Jermaine Parris netted in the 16th minute and Akino Bailey added a second in the 43rd for Barbican, while Oshane Dunkley replied for Axum in time added in the first half.
In a game where only the goals made the difference, Axum started out attacking through Dunkley and Ricardo Davis, with Barbican countering through Bailey, Romario Nelson, Dadrain Dixon and Parris.
Barbican took the lead when Shaquille Lewis’s long pass to Parris was headed past an advancing Randal Huie.
They should have gone further ahead but faulty finishing by Romario Nelson and Shaquille Lewis denied them.
Axum were reduced to 10 players when referee Oneal Clayton sent Ricardo Davis for an early shower for his second caution when he infringed on a free kick in the 33rd minute.
Shortly after, Barbican added to their advantage when Bailey fired home from just inside the penalty area.
Axum were not daunted and pulled one back in added time when an attack down the left flank earned a free kick just outside the penalty area. The kick by Oshane Dunkley opened the Barbican defensive wall to beat goalkeeper Nicholas Campbell.
Axum coach Donovan Dennison said his team gave up a goal and did not get back into the game.
Winning coach Denton Shedden was elated. “We came for the three points and we got it. This win has confirmed our place in the premier league.”
place in the premier league.”