Tru Juice fined by JFF
KINGSTON, Jamaica – Tru Juice FC could be in trouble with the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF)after they failed to show up for their opening Championships Zone A game against Lime Hall Academy on Saturday.
The St Catherine-based club, who were semi-finalists last season, has been fined $50,000 and has been “referred to the JFF Disciplinary and Ethics Committee for further actions to be taken in accordance with Article 69 of the JFF Disciplinary and Ethics Committee” a release sent out on Monday advised.
Lime Hall will also be awarded the game by a 3-0 margin.
Meanwhile, newcomers Duncans United of Trelawny got off to a fast start, beating St Bess United 4-0 in their game played at Lacovia with Oshane Plummer scoring a double to lead the way.
Renard Cunningham had given Duncans United the lead after three minutes before Plummer scored his first on the stroke of halftime and then another a minute into the restart.
Lennox Gibson then added a fourth goal in the 79th minute for Duncans to take an early lead in Zone B on goal-difference over Mt Pleasant Juniors and Reno FC who got wins over Holland PYC and Petersfield FC respectively.
Demarko Smith scored a double for Mt Pleasant Juniors in their 3-1 win, all the goals coming in the second half of the game played at Drax Hall.
Smith scored the opening goal in the 49th minute and Daville McDougal added a second in the 59th minute before Valentine Thompson pulled a goal back in the 67th minute for Holland PYC.
Smith then completed his brace when he scored two minutes into time added in the second half.
Reno FC, also semi-finalists last season, got the better of Petersfield 2-1 in a Westmoreland derby played at Llandilo Sports Complex.
Wayne Boland scored the opening goal in the 16th minute as Reno FC led 1-0 at halftime; Deno Whyte pulled Petersfield FC level in the 49th minute but Rushawn Graham scored the winner in the 75th minute.
In the other Zone B game played on Saturday, Falmouth United came from two goals down to earn a 3-3 draw away to former champions Treasure Beach FC.
Adrian Johnson staked the home team to a 2-0 lead, scoring in time added at the end of the first half and then in the 51st minute.
Tajay Cooper halved the deficit when he scored in the 56th minute but Tahjae Green restored Treasure Beach’s two goals lead when he scored in the 58th minute.
Falmouth United rallied with two late goals, Mikhail Samuels scored in the 70th minute and Tavane Kerr in the 84th minute to earn the Trelawny team a point.
With the awarding of points, Lime Hall Academy leads Zone A on goal-difference over Meadforest FC, Grays Inn and Baptist Alliance, all on three points.
Meadforest FC came from a goal down to beat Portlanders FC 2-1 at York Oval; Kerone George gave Portlanders FC the lead in the 32nd minute but Oshane Aarons equalised for Meadforest in the 64th minute before Tevoy Coldspring scored the winner in the 85th minute.
Jaheem Morrison scored the winner in time added for Gray’s Inn to beat Spanish Town Police 2-1 and broke a 1-1 tie.
Michael Cousins had given Grays Inn the lead in the 55th minute before Jahmar Ranger drew Spanish Town Police level in the 87th minute.
Tamar Francis, last season’s top scorer, opened his account when he scored the only goal in the game as Baptiste Alliance edged Progressive FC 1-0.
– Paul Reid