Vuvuzelas blared, shouts of celebration rang out, women rushed onto the field and grabbed hold of yellow and blue kit, sweaty footballers from Couples Tower Isle after they baked Baking Enterprises (National) five goals to one (5-1) at Drax Hall. This, on Sunday evening, September 21, in the finals of the Sandals International-sponsored St Ann/St Mary Business House Football competition.It was an evening of a goal feast, as in the first match of the double header, Beaches Ocho Rios rolled over and drowned Bahia Principe by six goals to nil to take third spot in the competition.In the match that all came to see, under lights and much of the stands packed, National started out as the better team, with No#10 Trowis Samuels and # 12 Darius Stewart marshalling the centre of the park and feeding their right wing, kicking toward the Highway. It was National that had the better of the first set of exchanges, drawing two early corners, one of which should have been stabbed home by any one of three of their players in the 18-yard box.But it was Couples who got the first goal through a Dermott Mignott free kick over the head of the National goal keeper and into an awkward spot before it was turned in, during a scramble, as an own goal by National.Even then, National was still fighting back with Stewart busy and bossing the midfield.Couples got their second goal in the 39th minute when #4 Allen Campbell latched on to a loose ball in the 18-yard box and blasted home, sending the Couples supporters screaming and clapping. That seemed to have knocked the stuffing out of National who underused the left wing, surrendered the mid field and seemed to have no tactic to get back into the game as they half ended with Couples 2 to baking (National) 0.The half time instructions from Couples’ coach Carlinton Dodd was that they had to press higher up the field and play as if they were not two up.The game slowed to a crawl after half time until a rash tackle led to a violent response and the two players, one each from Couples and National, were sent off. Baking had good chances to get back into the game but their final passes let them down. The game came to life thereafter, with the better football seen after the 70th minute.Couples could have scored another three goals with #9 Kemar Miller (Joe) and Campbell both either failing to let through players or booting wide. The third goal came after Joe (Miller) again failed to set up two of his team mates who had gone forward and his own shot from the right toward goal rebounded from a defender for #12 Torain Jackson to fire home.Substitute Ricardo Benbow #16 added one more for couples after controlling a high ball and blasting into an open net.National pulled one back from the penalty spot but it was all they would get.Soon Couples were all over them and the sweetest goal came as #14 Carlos Smith picked up a ball near the half line, waltz through the National defence and slotted home.After noisy celebrations including the popping of champagne and a dozen staff members giving the Couples players more than they could drink, Tony Ebanks handed the Sandals trophy over to Couples Tower Isle, with players were outnumbered by cheering fans wanting to get their hands on the symbol of supremacy.
Bahia washed away
In the first match Bahia Principe sank to six nil to Beaches. With Beaches leading 3-0 at half time the match became even more lopsided when one of their players was ejected for verbally abusing the referee.Near the end Beaches Ocho Rios played exhibition football and threw away at least five clear chances. Even keeper, Dane Harvey got into the act first acting as a sweeper, outside the 18-yard box before going on a run that sliced through the Bahia midfield and defence. He was even able to let off a shot that was blocked. Bahia supporters said their team was second string with many of their original players not showing up for the match.Leroy Marsh, Jovan Abou, Garnet Henry Damion Kelly and Lance Cameron were all on the score sheet for Beaches.
