Adrian Frater, News Editor

WESTERN BUREAU:

DEFENDING CHAMPIONS Granville reclaimed the lead in the Captain's Bakery Western Super League following Friday night's cross-zone double at Jarrett Park in Montego Bay.

While Granville won 2-1 against Montpelier, Salt Spring, who had overtaken them mid-week, were beaten 4-0 by Wadadah.

In their game, the Tracy Reid-coached Granville, who were surprisingly held to a 3-3 draw against Duanvale mid-week, scored twice through Jermaine 'Tuffy' Anderson to erase a 1-0 lead Evol Vidal had given Montpelier.

Meanwhile, Wadadah went on the rampage against Salt Spring, scoring through Calvin Coward, Jermaine Bucknor, Curtis Palmer and Omar Murray.

Montpelier looked quite sharp throughout the first half and deservedly took the lead in the 53rd minute when Vidal fired past goalkeeper Loxley Reid.

However, the wily Anderson, the competition's leading striker, pulled Granville level in the 65th minute and then crashed home the winner three minutes later.

"I thought we were unlucky in our mid-week 3-3 draw against Duanvale and the players came here tonight determined to make amends," said Reid, who has been conditioning Granville for the past three seasons. "We remain confident that we will retain our title."

The Wadadah and Salt Spring game, which promised much, turned out to be a one-sided affair as after Wadadah took the lead in the fourth minute through Coward, it was all but a done deal as Salt Spring, who looked jaded in their limited attacks, were basically outgunned as Bucknor (59th) Palmer (74th) and Murray (85th) added to Wadadah's tally.

"When we play like we did tonight it leaves no doubt that we are a very good team," said Palmer, arguably the most promising young striker in St. James' football. "What we need as a team is to be more consistent and we should be alright."

At the conclusion of cross-zone fixture, which is being contested, by all 12 teams from the competition's Zones A and B, the top four teams on points, regardless of zones, will advance to the semi-final round.

Current standings

Granville 29
Salt Spring 27
Negril 22
Salem 21
Wadadah 19
Montpelier 18
Frome 15
Fogo 11
Duanvale 11
Holland 10
Sandy Bay 8