6 days ago
6
Zaheim Clarke was the man of the moment for St Andrew Technical High (STATHS) as his late strike secured their place in the semifinals of the ISSA/WATA Manning Cup after a 1-0 win over Vauxhall High yesterday at the Waterhouse Mini Stadium.
The win ensured STATHS took the second qualifying spot from Group B of the quarterfinal round.
Clarke found the back of the net in the 80th minute of play, sinking Vauxhall’s hope of a semifinal berth.
Phillip Williams, STATHS head coach, said his players were prepared for a tough outing having faced Vauxhall twice this season.
“Mentally we were prepared for this game,” Williams said after the match.
“We’ve played Vauxhall two times already and we know that, in terms of how hard they’ll make the game for you, that’s their mode of operation so we were prepared mentally for it.”
Shankeno Grant should have put STATHS a goal up in the first half when he was played through on goal with an open net, but an unfortunate bobble from the ball at the last moment meant he sent his effort high off the mark.
They continued to press in the second half and a free kick from Taraine Hall two minutes after the restart forced a save from the Vauxhall custodian.
With time dwindling, Clarke found the all-important goal that sent both fans and his teammates into hysterics.
Keeno Levy intercepted a pass in his own half before going on a spirited run down the right flank, skipping past two defenders.
Levy then played the ball into Clarke’s path, and despite a deflection from Vauxhall’s defence, Clarke was able to finish into the lower left corner.
STATHS ended the game with 10 men when defender Mark Watson was shown a second yellow in the 90th minute after a late challenge to break up a Vauxhall attack.
MISSED OPPORTUNITIES
Despite the win, Williams sounded a warning for his team who he said has been plagued by faulty shooting this season.
If they are to challenge for the title, Williams said they will need to be more clinical in front of goal as they will have little margin for error in the semifinals and onwards.
“It wasn’t pretty, there are a lot of areas that we definitely need to work on if we are to make an impact in the semifinals but I’m happy for the team and we’ll celebrate in the moment,” he explained.
In the group’s other game, Eltham High completed a perfect record as they secured their third consecutive win after turning back Calabar High 2-1.
Antonio Fearon and Steven Bull added their names to the scoresheet for the St Catherine-based school while Nashaun Benjamin scored Calabar’s consolation.
The day’s results mean Eltham claimed the group honours with a maximum nine points, ahead of STATHS who finished second with six.
Vauxhall, third with three points, and Calabar, who finished without a point, are eliminated from the Manning Cup and will contest the quarterfinals round of the ISSA Walker Cup knockout competition.
FINAL SPOT
The final semifinalists for the Manning Cup will be decided today when Excelsior High face off against Charlie Smith High at Winchester Park.
Both teams are level on three points; however, Excelsior hold the advantage with a better goal difference.
Excelsior would secure their spot in the semifinals with a win or a draw, while Charlie Smith would need to pick up all three points.
In the other game of the group, Jamaica College (JC), who have already booked their spot in the final four, will take on Hydel High, who have been eliminated, at the Ashenheim Stadium.
Both games will kick off at 3 p.m.
Yesterday’s results:
Vauxhall 0-1 STATHS
Calabar 1-2 Eltham
Today’s games:
Excelsior vs Charlie Smith at Winchester Park (3 p.m.)
JC vs Hydel at Ashenheim Stadium (3 p.m.)
English (US) ·