McKay looking past NCB to NHT rematch

MCKAY Security’s Coach Aurane Phoenix is already looking ahead to a potential rematch with National Housing Trust (NHT) in the Raymond Quallo Memorial Challenge Cup, after his team lost the Kingston and St Andrew Business House Division One final 4-3 on penalties on Saturday. “They parked the bus on us — very defensive and counter-attacking — knowing we had beaten them 3-0 in the knockout when they were forced to play open football,” Phoenix said. “However, we are going to fix that in the Challenge Cup,” Phoenix said as McKay begin their campaign in the two-match series against Division Two winners National Commercial Bank at Constant Spring on Saturday, while NHT await the winners on a bye. “We did it last year by wiping out Division One winners RJRGleaner 5-0 to prove we are the best Business House team, after losing the semis 0-1 to nemeses NHT in extra time,” Phoenix said. McKay Football Group head Jason McKay was terse when contacted for comment. “We will settle this at the championship,” he said. After 120 minutes McKay Security and NHT were locked 1-1 at Constant Spring. Midfielder Devonte Walker had given McKay the lead with a screamer from 30 yards in the 17th minute. However, their advantage was cancelled five minutes later. “They scored against the run of play. We were attacking again and lost the ball high up the pitch. They counter-attacked from the right flank, a cross that found one of their players unmarked in the box. After scoring, their defensive tactics got worse,” Phoenix said. “We lost 4-3 on penalties. Our two best penalty takers missed but we are going to make things right after NCB this Saturday,” Phoenix said. Phoenix coached McKay to the Division One and Raymond Quallo Challenge double in 2023, when they crowned themselves ‘champions of champions’.