Bernard

August Town and Humble Lions began their campaign for a spot in next season's Digicel Premier League with victories over Wadadah and Brazil, respectively, in the opening games of the play-offs yesterday.

At the University of the West Indies Bowl, first-half goals from Aphas Bernard and Ezekiel Shaw carried hosts August Town to an easy 2-0 win over Wadadah.

Away victory

Humble Lions, led by Tyrone Buddah's 73rd-minute goal, registered a 1-0 away victory over Brazil at Drax Hall in St Ann.

Bernard gave August Town the lead in the 16th minute when he headed a corner from Richard Hoo past custodian Tristan Bernard. Shaw then doubled his team's lead minutes later, when he fired home a cross from Bernard past Akeem Thenstead.

"I think that we played an excellent first half but in the second period we didn't play good," said August Town's coach, Calvert Fitzgerald.

"I think that victory will certainly help our confidence because Wadadah is a big-name team and to get by them in our first game, it shows that our team is a very competitive team," Fitzgerald noted.

Meanwhile, Daniel Ricketts, the coach of Wadadah, said: "I think that despite our defeat we played fairly well because we arrived here late, and as we arrived we went on to the field and the guys were lethargic, and this resulted in us conceding two early goals in the first half.

"We still managed to create a few chances, which we were unable to capitalise on," added Ricketts.