Duncan United edge Grey’s Inn 1-0 in St Ann as Popeyes Challenge Cup hits CVM screens

The 2026 Popeyes Challenge Cup reached television for the first time on Wednesday 13 May when CVM carried live play-in football from Drax Hall Sports Complex in St Ann. Duncan United, representing Trelawny, met Grey’s Inn from the St Mary parish and advanced 1-0 in straight knockout football after a goalless opening half.

Field reporter Kimmani Sullivan opened from the venue while commentators Jordan Fort and analyst Dwight Jeremiah outlined the new tournament shape: twenty-five clubs in a single-elimination draw, with seven Jamaica Premier League sides joining later rounds and eighteen Jamaica Football Championship teams in the early stages. For this window, only second-tier sides were on the pitch; Premier League entrants were still tied up in their own playoff path.

Grey’s Inn began the sharper of the two, knitting passes through midfield while Duncan looked to spring their forwards quickly. Duncan grew into the period, working chiefly down the left and winning corners, but finishing stayed loose. Antonio Roberts forced a save from the Grey’s Inn goalkeeper, and a header from a set play demanded a strong stop before the interval. Referee Odette Hamilton, on the whistle for the fixture, booked Duncan’s Kevin Lang and Grey’s Inn’s Oshane Pinnock in the first half among several cautions as tackles tightened.

After the break Duncan again pressed the issue. Grey’s Inn dropped into a mid block and probed on the break, with Kamari Gordon eventually replacing Gerald Underhill for Duncan and Lennox Gibson and Akiel Smith later introduced as Casman Williams sought clearer rhythm. Gibson’s inswinging delivery from a dead-ball situation broke the stalemate when the ball eluded the defensive line and the custodian and nestled inside the frame, handing Duncan a slender lead with little time remaining.

Grey’s Inn could not manufacture an equaliser; Rashid Dennis had one late opening that flew wide, and an offside flag cut out another raid. At the whistle Duncan claimed the only goal of the night and a place in round two, where a draw was scheduled for the following morning on CVM’s Sunrise. Elsewhere in the opening round Med Forest defeated Progressive 2-1, Steps Elite advanced past Baptist Alliance on penalties after a 3-3 draw, Falmouth United edged Holland PYC on spot kicks following a 0-0 draw, Reno walked over Best United 3-0, and Roaring River ousted Petersfield 6-5 on penalties after another goalless regulation contest.

Grey’s Inn head coach Omar Pickersill said both teams played cautiously in a knockout context and that Duncan “give a good account of themsel,” adding his side needed time to read the opponent even though “a goal win match.” Duncan coach Kasman Williams welcomed the result while conceding the display was below their best: “a win is a win and we appreciate that.” He said “too much individualism” slowed his team and that he wants a “teamwork effort” before stiffer opposition arrives in later rounds.