Hemisphere Royals 3

PHC 0

Hemisphere Royals are the new monarchs of the women's FA Cup.

The queens of knockout football won the championship crown with an emphatic 3-0 victory over PHC in yesterday's final at the National Sports Centre.

It was the club's first-ever title and their overjoyed captain, Lori Murphy, signalled they will be looking to increase their collection in the 2003-04 season.

"We have not won the League yet so that's what we'll be going for next," she declared, preparing to lead her team in the traditional lap of honour.

Murphy credited a strong overall showing by Royals for the outcome which was sealed with a trio of strikes in the first half - two by the enterprising Clara Arellano and the other by Karen Madeiros.

Arellano blasted in Royals' first goal in the 29th minute when the ball cut through a throng of players and found her unmarked as Zebras' defence stood still. Three minutes later a lofted shot by Madeiros from the edge of the area sailed over PHC keeper Kimmisha Perinchief's head to make it 2-0.

Arellano knocked in her second in the 40th minute after a pinpoint cross from Sharon Murphy who ran from midfield to chase a long ball deep into the left flank.

Despite being outplayed by the winners, PHC could curse their ill luck as they hit the crossbar twice and an upright once. Striker Shuntae Todd was easily their best player but was inexplicably substituted mid-way in the second half.

Royals defender Zina Jones was a constant thorn in the Zebras' side with tackle after tackle that thwarted several attacking build-ups. The veteran was voted the Most Valuable Player.

Meanwhile, North Village won the Under-17 boys' championship 3-2 after a thrilling see-saw battle against Devonshire Colts.

Village went ahead in the eighth minute thanks to Taurean Manders but Colts then gained the ascendancy, first squaring the scoreline in the 35th minute and then taking a 2-1 lead in the 56th minute. Both goals came from Miguel Cabral.

Just as it looked like the Village youth were slipping to defeat, the game took a dramatic turn. Thomas Watson Jr equalised in the 85th minute and Cornell Castle (the MVP) hit a stunning winner in injury time.