Gran Bahía Príncipe striker Devon Hodges (right) goes around Half Moon's Brent Gordon during Monday's football final in Montego Bay. Gran Bahía Príncipe won 3-1. - Photo by Adrian Frater
WESTERN BUREAU:
NEWCOMERS GRAN Bahía Príncipe, behind a hat-trick from striker Devon Hodges, captured the JPS-sponsored Western Hotels Sports Association All-Island football title when they upstaged Half Moon Hotel 3-1 in Monday afternoon's final in Montego Bay.
"This is a proud moment for us and as you can see. We are overjoyed and really relishing this success," said Leroy Sewell, coach of the Runaway Bay-based Gran Bahía Príncipe, "It took a lot of hard work but it was worth it."
Unbeaten
In addition to lifting the coveted trophy, the exciting Gran Bahía Príncipe outfit, which featured several players with National Premier League experience, also had the enviable distinction of completing the season unbeaten - having won all their games.
Within the first five minutes of the game, it was obvious Gran Bahía Príncipe would be hard to beat as it had the Half Moon team on the run with the slick passing and regular assaults on goal and it came as no surprise when they took an early lead. In the 10th minute, Hodges dribbled through the heart of the Half Moon defence, slipped around goalkeeper Tristan Bernard and fired home with relative ease.
After surviving several close shaves, Half Moon drew level against the run of play in the 28th minute. A lofted corner kick from the right fell to skipper Brent Gordon in the crowded goal area and his glancing header left goalkeeper Raul Wilson stranded.
Free kick
Gran Bahía Príncipe reclaimed the lead in the 53rd minute. A well-struck free kick by Everton Palmer was met by a fierce close-range header by Hodges, which flashed past goalkeeper Bernard.
With time running out, Gran Bahía Príncipe sealed the issue in the 88th minute when Hodges completed his hat-trick. He pounced on a pass from Dwayne Parke, sent the goalkeeper the wrong way, and then slotted in, making the final score 3-1.
