Granville's skipper, Rodney Hinds (right), breaks away from Montpelier defender Cleve Keet in yesterday's Captain's Bakery Western Super League first leg final in Lucea. Montpelier won 1-0. - Photo by Adrian Frater

Adrian Frater, News Editor

WESTERN BUREAU:

MONTPELIER drew first blood in the two-way finals of the Captain's Bakery Western Super Football League yesterday when they clipped Granville FC 1-0 at Rusea's High School in Lucea.

In an exciting game in which Granville missed a last-minute penalty, Montpelier got their all-important goal from the boot of Lenore Campbell midway through the second half.

"We tried to match Granville's hard-running style in the first half and it did not work so we decided to keep more possession of the ball and build slowly in the second half and it worked for us," said Wayne Tate, the coach of Montpelier. "We just need to stay focussed for the return game and we should be ok."

The game started with Granville looking ominous in attack and forcing back Montpelier. However, missed chances in the fifth and seventh minutes through Anderson, who fired wide from close range and then nodded wide, kept them off the scoresheet.

Wasted a chance

Towards the end of the half, Montpelier got and wasted a glorious chance in the 43rd minute when the speedy Garth Johnson got behind the Granville defence but fired wide.

The half ended 0-0. The second half started with Montpelier looking more composed and with the introduction of Denton Vidal, the tide turned decisively in their favour as they began forcing back the Granville team with calculated attacks down both flanks.

With things going in their favour, Montpelier took the lead in the 72nd minute. A brilliant break by Johnson opened up the Granville defence and his precise pass to Campbell left him with a clear shot on goal. He made no mistake, firing past goalkeeper Loxley Reid to make the score 1-0.

With action swinging from end to end and both teams taking turns in attack, Granville won a penalty in the 89th minute when substitute Odane Snow was fouled just inside the area. However, the spot-kick by Anderson sailed over the crossbar, much to the disbelief of his teammates.

With Anderson still holding his head in dismay, the final whistle sounded. The return game will be played at Jarrett Park on Sunday.