The Gleaner's Oneal 'Skill, El Magico' Morrison easily holds off a tackle. - file

The Gleaner, thanks to a double strike from centre-forward Kenrick Picknight, advanced to the Western Sports/KSAFA Division I football final yesterday, when they defeated arch-rivals UWI 2-0 in semi-final action at Cable & Wireless Sports Club, Chalmers Avenue.

In the other semi-final also played yesterday at UWI Bowl, Mona, Carib Cement clipped pre-season favourites Supreme Ventures 3-2 to set up Saturday's final against The Gleaner at the Edward Seaga Sports Complex, starting at 3:30 p.m.

Fabulous Fabian

Fabian Nethersole, a former Gleaner striker, netted all three goals for Carib Cement. He opened the scoring in the 24th minute and after Supreme Ventures had taken a 2-1 lead early in the second half with goals from Leon Brown (31st minute) and Cheovara Walters (47th minute), hit back with goals in the 58th and 90th minutes, the latter a penalty. Both Carib Cement and The Gleaner have lost only one match in the league so far. When both met in the first match of the season, they played to a goalless draw.

Yesterday, The Gleaner had the better of play to lead 1-0 at half-time, courtesy of a well-placed header from Picknight in the 45th minute, this from a Donovan Alvaranga cross. UWI, who countered with the hard-running striker Nicholas Smith, Dwayne Lawrence, Devon Haughton and Richard Hoo, came close to taking the lead midway the first half when Hoo's powerful shot from just outside the area solicited a spectacular save from Everdeeen Scarlett in goal.

Stout defence

In the second half, The Gleaner back four of captain Bernard Blackwood, Rudolph Speid, Dwayne Thompson and George Stephens defended stoutly as usual to deny UWI, before Picknight sealed the issue in the 81st minute when beating goalkeeper Joel Grant to the far corner.

UWI finished with nine men after right back Damion Kennedy was shown the red card for violent conduct late in the first half, and fellow defender, Conniel Cain, was sent off for rough play midway the second half.

Cable & Wireless will meet JNBS in the Division II final, also on Saturday at the Edward Seaga Complex starting at 1:30 p.m. Admission to the double-header is $200.