Western Bureau:
Wadadah FC defied the odds on Wednesday night when they clipped arch-rivals and favourites Seba United 2-1 in their much-anticipated first-leg Captain's Bakery Western Super League semi-final at Jarrett Park in Montego Bay.
The Daniel Rickettes-coached Wadadah got their goals from the bustling Jeremy Bucknor and the classy Arval Campbell. Seba's lone goal came from skipper Wilfred Smith early in the second half.
"We played a very good first 45 minutes and while we gave up a soft second-half goal, I believe the players did what was expected of them," said coach Rickettes. "Now that we have seen what Seba has to offer, we will be even more ready and focused for the second leg game."
With the game 22 minutes old, Wadadah struck with a beauty. Bucknor sped into Seba's goal area and despite pressure coming from all angles, he kept his composure and drove a good low shot out of the reach of goalkeeper Neil Lynch, making the score 1-0.
Bold bid
Stung by Wadadah's success, Seba opened up in a bold bid to gain an equaliser, but the Mark Williams-led Wadadah defence kept them at bay. In fact, Wadadah looked the team more likely to score again, launching a series of stinging counter-attacks through the speedy Curtis Palmer.
Wadadah managed to catch Seba exposed on one of the counter-attacks in the 26th minute. Palmer found himself with space on the right side and after dribbling a few paces, played a superb pass to Campbell before the goal.
He calmly slipped the ball passed the advancing goalkeeper Lynch, making the half-time score 2-0.
Seba United made three changes to start the second half and one of them, St James High School daCosta Cup star Allan Ottey all but scored in the 47th minute. He pounced on a ball on the left side but his powerful low shot was deflected wide by Wadadah's goalkeeper Tristan Bernard.
With Seba pressing hard with the extra personnel in attack, they were rewarded in the 56th minute when skipper Smith outfoxed the Wadadah defence with a neat dribble before flicking the ball past the goalkeeper.