WADADAH earned the right to meet Harbour View in the 2001 JNBS Federation Cup final yesterday, when they scored a hard fought 5-4 sudden-death penalty shoot out win, over Reno in their semi-final game at the Frome Sports Ground in Westmoreland.
At the end of regulation time the teams were locked 1-1 after Kirk Wright's late first half strike cancelled the 1-0 lead Thomas Grant had given Wadadah in the opening minute.
With no goals coming in sudden death extra time, and the regulation penalty shoot out ending at 4-4, Wadadah's snatched victory after converting through Oniel Thomas after Reno had missed through Patrick Miller.
"We should have won the game through regulation time, but we squandered too many chances," said Wadadah's coach Anthony Williams. "Nonetheless, we are extremely happy for this win, as it keeps us in contention to win the JNBS title."
The game which started at a torrid pace saw Wadadah taking the lead, with their first attack on goal. Thomas broke free on the left flank and clipped a neat pass to the unmarked Grant in the goal area. His firm header gave goalkeeper Kingsley James no chance, making the score 1-0.
After surviving a spate of missed chances by Wadadah, Reno drew level in the 38th minute. The speedy Kirk Wright pounced on a bouncing ball before the Wadadah goal, and nodded out of the reach of the goalkeeper Keith Wilson, making the half-time score 1-1.
Wadadah dominated the second half with Grant, Markino Gillings and Devon Ricketts all missing easy one-on-one chances with goalkeeper Kingsley James. However, at the end of regulation time, the score was still locked at 1-1. With sudden death extra time producing no further goals, the game was forced into the dreaded penalty shoot out. Wadadah missed their first attempt when veteran Durrent Brown had his shot saved by the goalkeeper.
However, with the score locked at 4-4 and Reno having the decisive final kick, James had his first real blunder of the afternoon when he booted his penalty kick over the cross bar.