Sporting Central mid-fielder Glenford Delight (foreground) shields the ball from Arlington FC's Tyrone Ban during a Super Plus South Central Confederation Super League first leg semi-final match at the Spanish Town Prison Oval on Sunday. Sporting Central won 3-1. - Anthony minott

Anthony Minott, Freelance Writer

Clarendon-based clubs Sporting Central Academy and Humble Lions will go into Saturday's second leg semi-final matches with the advantage over Arlington and Los Perfectos respectively after first leg wins in the Super Plus South Central Confed. Super League on Sunday.

Sporting Central defeated Spanish Town-based Arlington 3-1 at the Spanish Town Prison Oval, while Humble Lions clipped Manchester's Los Perfectos 2-1 at the Effortville playfield.

Coach of Sporting Central Kevin Williams was pleased with the win. "I am not totally satisfied but pleased with the result. There is much more work to be done but it is not a bad score," he explained.

Sporting Central were in a no-nonsense mood, playing against the team that eliminated them 5-3 on aggregate last year. The team from Clarendon quickly shot into a 3-0 lead after 41 minutes of play. Oneke Ford (23rd, 41st) scored twice after Hughan Gray had opened the scoring 16 minutes into the game.

The second half saw home team Arlington attacking in numbers and the visitors depending on counter attacks. Arlington didn't make use of their chances and almost left the tie without a goal. However, they finally got one from the penalty spot after 85 minutes. Arlington's Denny Merchant was cut down in the penalty box, and referee Raymond Pine pointed to the spot. Former Constant Spring FC player, Greg Taylor, fired home the penalty, leaving his team trailing by two goals going into the tie's second leg.

"Sporting Central came for the game and they got it, we need to go back to the drawing boards for the second leg at Brancourt," Arlington's president, Everton Foster said.