Paul A. Reid, Staff ReporterWESTERN BUREAU:
FORMER NATIONAL Premier League champions Violet Kickers celebrated their promotion to the St James FA Sandals Division One next season by winning the Guardian Life Division Two on Friday.
Violet Kickers beat Defenders 2-1 in the final played at Tucker and both teams will be promoted at the start of the new season.
Wayne Nicholson in the 19th minute and Mark Shearer in the 82nd scored for Violet Kickers while Dwayne Smart equalised for Defenders in the 69th minute.
PENALTY MISSED
The victory was only confirmed when Defenders' Clifford Watkin missed a last-minute penalty which would have forced extra time. Referee Antonio Peterkin awarded the spot kick after substitute Ezzard Heaven was adjudged to have handled the ball in the area.
Violet Kickers started the game looking the better of the two teams and were rewarded when Nicholson gave them the lead. The striker pounced on a rebound and shot it past goalkeeper Dane Randall before the custodian could respond.
Jerome Atkinson should have equalised for Defenders in the 25th minute but shot wide after a looping ball from midfield sailed over the head of the Kickers' defence.
Defenders stepped up their game in the second half and forced Violet Kickers on the defence for long periods on the muddy field, forcing several excellent saves form former national goalkeeper Warren Barrett.
The hard work paid off handsomely and Defenders were rewarded when Smart powered home from a melee.
The celebrations were short-lived however as Shearer, overlapping from his central defensive position, volleyed home a cross from the right side.
Defenders had one last hope late in the game but Watkin, a former Wadadah player, sent the spot kick high over the bar.
Violet Kickers only returned to competitive football last season after they had changed names to Mt Salem in the 2000-'01 National A League season. As a result of the name change, the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) had ruled that no team would be allowed to use the name for a three-year period.
