Christopher Jackson's controversial extra-time goal gave Tivoli Gardens a win 1-0 win over 10-man Meadhaven United and their third hold on the Western Union/KSAFA Jackie Bell Knockout trophy at the Tony Spaulding Complex last evening.
The victory was also the third in succession for coach Lenworth Hyde, who won the last two versions with Harbour View before migrating to west Kingston this season.
Western Union's marketing manager Sandra Forbes (left); Lorna Bell (right), widow of the late 'Jackie' Bell, and KSAFA president Rudolph Speid (2nd right), present the Bell KO Trophy to the victorious Tivoli Gardens team which defeated Meadhaven 1-0 in the final at the Tony Spaulding Sport Complex last night. (Photo: Garfield Robinson)
"It was a disiplined game from us and we played how we wanted," Hyde told reporters afterwards.
"The game could have gone either way, but we kept our cool as the game threatened to get out of hand and that's what got us the victory," he added.
A minute before the end of regulation time, Meadhaven's star player, Keammar Daley, was shown the red card for what seemed an innocuous challenge on defender Victor Thompson.
Then seven minutes into extra time, Tivoli got the all-important goal, but not without a moment of controversy.
Oraine Simpson took a short corner to captain Jackson, however, another ball came over the fence and onto the field of play, at which time referee Tariq Parchment halted play.
But when the extra ball was removed, Parchment decided to drop the ball where the game had stopped, instead of restarting from the corner kick, which most of the players were anticipating.
The ball was dropped between Jackson and Meadhaven's Parchment. The former won possession and delivered an inswinging cross into the area which beat a stranded Kevin Graham at his far post.
Earlier, Tivoli had the better of the first half but had very little to show, although they did come close with a few attempts. But Meadhaven came into their own in the second period and Daley rattled the crossbar with a superb volley from the edge of the area after 62 minutes.
Weston Forrest then had a shot blocked by a defender with goalkeeper Leon Gordon at his mercy.