Humble Lion return to JPL; Tru-Juice make maiden entry

HUMBLE Lion FC return to the Jamaica Premier League at the first time of asking while Tru-Juice FC finally booked their first-ever place after Saturday’s nail-biting penalty-kick wins over Sakka Club Browns Town and Reno FC, respectively, in their Jamaica Football Championships return-leg semi-final games.

Humble Lion, who were relegated at the end of the 2024-25 season, and Tru-Juice, who were in their fourth semi-final in five seasons, will replace relegated Spanish Town Police FC and Harbour View in the top flight competition.

Humble Lion beat Sakka Club 5-3 on penalties after their game ended in a 1-1 draw following extra time at Drax Hall.

Tru-Juice will be the first team from Linstead, St Catherine, to play in the Premier League after beating Reno 4-3 from the penalty spot following a 0-0 scoreline after extra time.

Both first-leg games had ended in 0-0 draws.

After watching his team waste a handful of scoring chances, especially in the first half when Curtel Lawes hit the Reno crossbar from about 25 yards, Tru-Juice’s Coach Craig Richards was over the moon.

A visibly emotional Richards told the Jamaica Observer, “I am very elated at this time. This is what we wanted, and we worked so hard for it. We had a coaching staff that worked tirelessly, and the players responded. We love them. This is a big, big, big thing for Linstead. The first time in history. We love it, we love it!”

During the game, Richards never lost confidence that they would find a way through — despite playing in rain on a waterlogged surface — and said the statistics prove they deserved to be promoted.

“It was a very productive season. We were the top scorers in the league, we have the number one striker in the league; only one team conceded less goals than us and that’s Reno,” he said. “So we knew that today would have been tough but guess what? We practised penalties all week and we worked very hard for this. This is the greatest thing that happened to us in a very long time.”

Richards said the difference between the teams on Saturday was that they never let their guard down, and kept pushing even when they came up short.

“The difference today is we were disciplined. Though we created multiple chances and we didn’t convert, we stuck to the task and we defended with our hearts. We knew that they were going to come at us in the end but everybody defended and we are so, so happy right now. It’s the best, best, best moment for us. We are so grateful.”

Understandably, the mood in the Reno camp was quite different, as playing at home they were expected to make full use of the familiar conditions, but veteran Coach Carl “Long Life” Palmer told the Jamaica Observer that while they lost the game, he was still proud of the effort from his team.

The Reno coach said persistent rain in the area all week prevented the team from preparing properly and it was only on Friday — the day before the contest — they were able to get some time on the grass.

“Because of the bad weather we didn’t get to put in any work before yesterday,” Palmer said. “We could argue about not being able to train but it was only yesterday that I had to beg the president [of the Westmoreland FA], but because of the rain and the field condition he was reluctant as they were having their parish competition on the field at the same time.”

Despite all of this, Palmer was satisfied that his team gave their all.

“I think it was a good try. Thumbs up to the boys; I think they did their best under the condition — you know, without a week’s preparation — and we managed to take it to penalties. It was great. I really wanted to win but, you know, I think we have to applaud their effort,” added Palmer.

Tru-Juice FC were on the front foot from the start but the muddy underfoot conditions and dogged defending by Reno kept them at bay.

Reno came out running in the second half, with Rushawn Graham and Nazime Matalie Grant — a former Premier League title winner with Montego Bay United — taking on the Tru-Juice defenders.

With the aggregate scores still tied after extra time it was down to penalties where both goalkeepers made one save, but Reno FC’s Nashane Campbell — a second-half substitute — pushed their fifth kick wide of the left post.

PALMER…I think it was a good try. Thumbs up to the boys; I think they did their best under the condition (Photo: Paul Reid)

RICHARDS…I am very elated at this time. This is what we wanted, and we worked so hard for it. We had a coaching staff that worked tirelessly, and the players responded (Photo: Paul Reid)