Adrian Frater, News Editor

Wadadah's Rohan Reid (with ball), who missed a penalty for his team, battles for possession with a partially-hidden York player in their NPL elimination fixture in Montego Bay, yesterday. York won 1-0. - Photo by Adrian Frater

WESTERN BUREAU:

YORK OF St Thomas left Wadadah's bid to return to top-flight football in the dark yesterday when they clipped the former national champions 1-0 in their second round NPL elimination fixture at the UDC playing field in Montego Bay.

For York's coach Patrick Barclay, who saw his team bow 4-1 to Rivoli United in their first-round fixture, the victory over Wadadah has revitalised his team's National Premier League hopes.

"We came here today knowing that we had to win and we were fully prepared to do whatever it took," said an elated Barclay. "This victory is sure to bring a lot of confidence into the team, so we are definitely looking forward to the other games with much optimism." While the York team has good reason to be thrilled, it should be thankful to Wadadah for their wayward ways.

Easy chances

Wadadah had much the better of the early exchanges with fairly easy chances falling to Jeremy Bucknor and Calvin Coward. However, they were both woefully off target, especially Bucknor, who twice fired wide from inside the goal area.

York's best chance of the half came in the 25th minute when a cracking long-range, free-kick by central defender Charles Williams shaved the crossbar as it whistled over the top at great pace. The half ended 0-0.

After surviving two missed chances, courtesy of substitute Curtis Palmer in the 58th minute and Bucknor two minutes later, York took the lead in the 63rd minute. Kevin Bascom caught the Wadadah defence napping and sped away before firing past the advancing goalkeeper to make the score 1-0.

With the momentum in their favour, York took control and had the Wadadah defence on the run for long periods as they hunted more goals. They should have doubled their lead in the 73rd minute when Jermaine Miller got away before the goal but fumbled.

In the dying minutes, York missed another golden opportunity when substitute Swayne Thomas left the Wadadah defence in a tangle with his deft dribbling but, with the goalkeeper at his mercy, he booted tamely at him.