LeVaughn Flynn, Staff Reporter

Boys' Town striker George Vernal (right) takes on Central Kingston's Richard Allison (left) and Eric Allison, in the Western Union/Jackie Bell Knockout Competition at Winchester Park yesterday. Boys' Town won 4-3 on penalties. - Ian Allen/Staff Photographer

Reigning champions Boys' Town were made to sweat before getting by Central Kingston 4-3 on penalties in the quarter-final of the Western Union/Jackie Bell Knockout Competition at Winchester Park yesterday.

Central Kingston, joint leaders in the KSAFA Major League, matched their Wray and Nephew National Premier League opponents in almost every department.

The advantage Boys' Town had, shots on goal, went to waste as they developed the habit of kicking the ball over the crossbar, even from point-blank range. The most blatant was Peter Keyes in time-added-on from about eight yards away. Boys' Town stepped up the tempo in the second period of extra-time but failed to find the winner and the score remained at 0-0 going into the shoot-out.

Identical saves

Kirk Porter made two identical saves for Boys' Town while Marvin Morgan was the only Boys' Town player who missed (over the crossbar) after four kicks, giving the Red Brigade a 3-2 advantage. A confident Eugene Wilson levelled the score at 3-3, leaving it up to Boys' Town's Denzil Watson to score the winner. But his shot caught the outstretched leg of goalkeeper Troy Nairne as he dived in the opposite direction.

In the sudden-death kick-off, Eric Allison awkwardly kicked wide before Dameon Benjamin sealed Boys' Town's semi-final date with Tivoli Gardens.

"I said before this game I don't like these games playing against teams in lower divisions because it's really hard to motivate the players," said Boys' Town coach, Andrew Price.

"We got a lot of opportunities and we didn't put them away and it almost came back to haunt us."

Central Kingston coach, Karl Russell, like his players, held his head high after the game.

"I respect Boys' Town but I can't tell you how much I respect my team," said Russell.

"I'm not disappointed with my team and had number 12 (Damion Johnson) scored his early chance the game would have been a different one."