Wayne Saulter (second left), financial controller of The Captain's Bakery and Grill, presents the Captain's Bakery Trophy to Garth Johnson (third left) after his team's 4-2 penalty shoot-out win over Seba United in Sunday night's final at Jarrett Park. Other members of the team and officials share in the happy occasion. - photo by Adrian Frater

Western Bureau:

It took over 120 minutes and eight nerve-wracking penalty kicks. But Granville Football Club is celebrating history today after beating Seba United 4-2 on penalties in the final on Sunday night at Jarrett Park, to gain their first hold on the St James Football Association Captain's Bakery and Grill Knockout title.

By virtue of their win, the Granville team, which was beating Seba United at Jarrett Park for the first time, has now qualified to represent St James in the 2009-10 Flow All Island Knockout Championship. That competition will feature the 12 Digicel Premier League contenders and the various parish KO champions.

Intriguing contest

In what was an intriguing contest, Seba United seemed on course for victory after taking a first-half 2-0 lead with goals from Omar Christie and Dino Williams.

However, Granville stormed back to end regulation time 2-2, courtesy of goals by Odane Snow and skipper Garth Johnson.

In the second period of extra-time play, the wily Snow notched his second goal of the game to give Granville what looked like a winning 3-2 lead.

However, Seba roared back to send the game into the dreaded penalty shoot-out, with a late strike by overlapping central Fabian McHarty.

"This is a very sweet win for us because it is the first time we are beating Seba United at Jarrett Park," said Granville's coach Loxley Reid, whose team pocketed $100,000 for their win. "We are absolutely delighted."

Keenly contested game

In what was a keenly contested game, Seba took the lead in the 15th minute when Christie eluded goalkeeper Everette Nunes and slotted home, making the score 1-0. Seba United made it 2-0 in the 31st minute when Williams fired home a cross from close range, making the score 2-0.

Granville got on the scoresheet towards the end of the half when the alert Snow nodded over the head of the advancing goalkeeper, making the half-time score 2-1.

With a minute to go in regulation time and Seba seemingly on the verge of victory, Granville drew level courtesy of a blunder by Seba United's goalkeeper, Neil Lynch. He failed to gather an easy cross, which he dropped into the path of Johnson. Johnson calmly booted in, making the score 2-2, and sent the game into extra-time.

Snow gave Granville a 3-2 lead in the second period of extra-time when he outsped the Seba defence and fired home.

However, Seba struck back on the verge of the final whistle when McHarty made it 3-3.

In the penalty shoot-out, Granville secured victory following goals by Dexter Smith, David Waite, Troy Reid and goalkeeper Everette Nunes. Rohan Bernard and Damion Nelson were the only players on target for the Seba United team.