King Academy rule in St Ann

King Football Academy reigned supreme in St Ann for the second straight year, after they defeated Richmond FC in dramatic fashion in the St Ann Major League final at Drax Hall on Sunday, May 31.

The defending champions overcame a 2-0 deficit at half-time, to win 3-2 in added time, and coach Veron Peterkin said, despite going behind, he knew there was only one outcome on the night.

"The truth is, I was happy they scored first. If we scored first, the game would be too easy, but going two goals down was excessive but we knew, once we did not panic, all would be well. We had enough chances to bring the game level and then we moved in for the kill," he said. 

 Romaine Thompson gave Richmond an eighth-minute lead and Kirk Ramsay doubled the advantage after 17 minutes.

The league's topscorer Dario James pulled a goal back two minutes after the break for his ninth of the season and Kaniel Brown's free kick in the 89th minute levelled the score at 2-2. 

Daniel Reid got the winner for King FA seven minutes into injury time  to give Peterkin's team a second successive hold on the title.

For Peterkin, the season had many other positives, mainly the opportunities to play his very young players in a squad with an average age of 16.  

"We won all our games and, fortunately, all the players got a chance to play. They got minutes in, as it is about development.

"The oldest player is 20 and the youngest is 11 years old, and we have a lot in-between. Kaden Foreman (11) played during low-impact games. When we got a couple of goals, we put him in so he can get some minutes because he has the talent.

"We want to win but we want to win with the players being developed. They all got a chance to play and, fortunately for us, we won the title again."

King FA will now focus on the Jamaica Football Championship Tier II playoffs. Peterkin was quick to admit their inexperience at the playoffs last year but believes they are much better prepared to make the push all the way.

"Most of our players are under the age of 18. When we went to the playoffs last year, we had a very small bench, most of the players didn't get their approval in time.

"This time around, all the players have their passports. So we are more confident and we are going for it because we really want to be in the Tier II," he said.

Although the Premier League is the ultimate goal, he wants to spend a few years at the Tier II level before transitioning to the top flight.

"We would like to be in the Premier Lbut not very soon. We want two to three years in the Tier II because it is about development.

"We believe playing in Tier II is a very good continuity after daCosta Cup or Manning Cup to continue the development throughout the year. So we are targeting the Premier League for the 2028-29 season."

He added that the academy is seeking support from the St Ann business community, to continue building.

livingston.scott@gleanerjm.com