Security Forces FC are the 2024 SKNFA Division 1 Champions after drawing 1-1 against Molineux FC on Friday July 26, 2024 at the National Bank Group of Companies Technical Center in St. Peters.

Dion Dolphin gave Security Forces an early lead in the 3^rd minute of the match, but Ronald Williams ensured Molineux were not going down without a fight with a 88^th minute goal.

Still, the result was enough to give Security Forces the Division 1 title, with 42 points at the top of the table. Coach of Security Forces Iroy Jeffers lauded his players for the accomplishment. He recalled taking over the team halfway into the season with an unbeaten record, and his experience in guiding them to the title. 

“It was a difficult decision to make but after talking to my daughter, she gave me the go ahead to challenge myself. I went (to training) for the first time and saw the players. They are respectful, loving willing to learn, which is the most important thing and everything (took off),” Jeffers said. 

Despite winning the title and earning a place in the National Bank Group of Companies Premier League for next season, Jeffers said it will not be easy and they will have to work exceptionally hard.

“In the premier level, its better players, better coaches, better referees. You have to be hungry and learn as quickly as possible,” Jeffers surmised. 

Meanwhile, Keith King, the goalkeeping coach for the team, spoke about the work and effort in improving the Security Forces defense ahead of the season. Security Forces conceded only 15 goals all season, less than all the teams in Division 1.

“One thing we tried to focus on is improving defensively. People say goals win championships and if you don’t give up goals, you technically can’t lose. We try to install in the players how important it is to keep the ball out of the back of the net, how important it is to work with each other as a defensive unit and make sure the opponent has a hard task getting past the defensive line,” King disclosed.

Security Forces still has one more match to go before ending the season, which will be played this Tuesday at the Technical Center.

Security Forces FC have been promoted to the SKNFA Premier League after earning a narrow 3-2 win over KFC Trinity/Challengers United on Wednesday at the NBGC Technical Center in St. Peters in SKNFA Division 1 action. 

Dion Dolphin, Evansley Fahie and Dennis Phillip were the goal scorers for Security Forces in the 6^th, 31^st and 58^th minutes, respectively. Tyrone Grant and Cavid David led the fight for Trinity/Challengers. 

That match was followed by a 2-1 victory for Molineux over 607 Construction Lodge Patriots. Darren Brookes and Ronald Williams got the Molineux goals in the 22^nd and 38^th minutes, respectively, while Josh Liburd scored the lone goal for Lodge in the 89^th minute.

Molineux coach George “Kinta” Gilbert, who previously coached Security Forces, said he just recently took over this team and is looking forward in doing some great work with them.

“I have been working with this time for about maybe a week or so and a lot of work will have to be done with them. But eventually we will get there,” he said. “I am with this team now and we are going to work hard to implement what we want to implement and to become a better team. It’s a work in progress because I just started to work with the team,” Gilbert said. 

Wendell Nanton, a player with Lodge, said the team started out flat in the first half, but picked up momentum in the second half.

“We came out flat footed this evening. We are bit short on players in the first half but we maintain to keep our structure and to manage. Nevertheless we, were down 2-0. We came back, scored a goal in the second half. We had opportunities but going forward we have a lot of work to do on the pitch,” he said.

“I guarantee you next season Lodge Patriots will be a better and stronger team going forward,” he added. 

In other Division 1 results on Monday: Mantab defeated Conaree Fireball International 4-1. K’Jairn Liburd scored two goals for Mantab in the 19^th and 59^th minutes while the other goals came from Kimmel French in the 55^th minute and Wakamba Warner in the 5^th minute of stoppage time. Jolonni Huggins scored the lone goal for Conaree in the 52^nd minute.  

Meanwhile, Sandy Point FC edged TGE Dieppe Bay Eagles 1-0 on Thursday June 13^th. Dequan Joseph scored the winning goal in the 17^th minute.

In the night’s earlier match Saddlers United trounced Rivers of Living Water 4-0. The goals were scored by Kurt Mills, E Wattley, Darious Rawlins and Saeed Hanley in the 62^nd, 69^th, 73^rd and 3^rd minute of stoppage time respectively. SKNFA Division 1 continues next week.