Granville's goalkeeper, Loxley Reid, soars high to safely collect a ball against Police during their Wray and Nephew National Premier League play-off game at the Edward Seaga Sports Complex. Granville won 1-0. - Junior Dowie/Staff Photographer LeVaughn Flynn, Staff Reporter
Granville's 1-0 win over Police yesterday at the Edward Seaga Sports Complex made the St. James team early leaders in the race to qualify for next season's Wray and Nephew National Premier League.
The other two teams looking to replace Wadadah and Naggo Head are St. George's of Portland and Clarendon's Sporting Central, who drew their game 0-0 at Lynch Park in Portland.
Jermaine 'Tuffy' Anderson had a good first half for Granville in which he scored a goal to behold in the 30th minute, but a less-than impressive second period left coach Tracy Reid dissatisfied in the end.
Fully satisfied
"I'm half satisfied, I'm not fully satisfied," she said. "We made some mistakes in the middle and our objective in every game is to control the middle because when we control the middle fully we get more goals."
The one goal that was scored, however, somewhat made up for the goal shortage.
Anderson working on the left side and being close-marked by Police's captain, Ricardo Edwards, dragged the ball with his left foot then plotted with his right in a quick, smooth motion that left Edwards frozen. By the time he realised what had happened, Anderson was two steps ahead unleashing a torrid left-footed shot that seared past Kirk Williams' far post.
Rose taken off
While Granville lost discipline in the second half, climaxing with midfielder Jason Rose demanding to be taken off with five minutes to go, Police picked up their game. However, they were unable to find the equaliser with Sheldon Campbell and Andre Reid both missing good chances.
"We controlled the game totally in the second half but we just didn't put away the chances," said Police coach Calvin Lewis.
"But there were a lot of positives in the game. We got a good look at Granville so the second leg will be different."
On Wednesday, Granville host St. George's and Police travel to Clarendon to face Sporting Central.
| Police National | 0 |
| Granville | 1 |
Jermaine Anderson 30th
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