Faulkland and Reggae Youths take first-leg leads in St James Sandals Major League semis

MONTEGO BAY, St James — Ex-champions Faulkland FC and Reggae Youths have taken early leads in the St James Football Association and Sandals Resorts Major League semi-finals after winning their opening legs at Jarrett Park last Saturday.

Faulkland defeated Montego Bay Boys Club 2-0, while Reggae Youths claimed a 1-0 win over Heights FC in the other first-round tie. Both return fixtures are scheduled for next Saturday at the same Montego Bay ground. The side with the higher aggregate score over the two legs will reach the final and secure a place in the play-offs for next season’s Jamaica Football Championship.

In the later match, Joel Powell — once a Faulkland player — turned the ball into his own net in the 66th minute to put his former club ahead. Kyle Anderson struck again in the 78th minute, giving Faulkland a comfortable cushion before the second leg.

Faulkland had a brief climb through the national pyramid, spending one campaign each in the St James FA Major League and the former JFF Tier II in 2021-22 before reaching the Jamaica Premier League in 2022-23. They later stepped back into parish competition and have resumed winning form under coach Gregory Palmer, finishing Zone A on 31 points. Reggae Youths placed second on 24 points after reaching last season’s final.

Earlier in the double-header, Tyrique Scott’s goal in the 54th minute was enough for Reggae Youths against Heights FC.

Heights had led a tight Zone B race in which three clubs ended the regular season on 19 points and were separated only by goal difference. Boys Club finished behind them after overtaking Lilliput Rovers with a victory in the last match of the preliminary round.