By Neto Baptiste
Earthquake and West Ham will play in the final of the Gordon “Banks” Derrick King of the West Memorial Football Cup following success in the semifinal round of the competition on Tuesday.
Earthquake advanced to the final despite going down 2-1 on penalty kicks to Blackburn Palace at the Fort Road playing field. Palace, however, utilised a number of ineligible players in the match and following a protest from Earthquake, were disqualified.
Chief organiser of the competition, Freston Spencer, explained that Palace knew all of the rules going into the match.
“One of the competition rules state that if a player does not play in the round-robin phase of the league then you cannot play in the knockout league. The individual who normally supervises the Blackburn team was not present at the game [on Tuesday], and unfortunately, Blackburn had two or three players that had never played in the round-robin phase, which caused them to forfeit that game, unfortunately, or fortunately for Earthquakes,” he said.
In the other semifinal clash, West Ham defeated Fort Road 3-1 on penalties after finishing 1-1 in regulation. Kassiem Brathwaite put West Ham ahead in the 28th minute before Jamaul Semper drew Fort Road levelled in minute 41.
Spencer said a decision will be made regarding a date for both the title and third place matches.
“We’re waiting on the arrival of Banks’ wife and family to return from the US which they should do this Saturday and in consultation with them, we’ll decide on a suitable day to have the finals at the ABFA technical center; so a date will be announced shortly,” he said.
The league is sponsored by Cool & Smooth, WIOC, DSC Promotions, Stonewall Reloaded, Hook Me Pasta Snack & Bar, Tropical Jewellers and Warner’s Brokerage Services.