Clarendon in daCosta Cup last four

Western Bureau:

Clarendon College secured the final semi-final spot in the ISSA daCosta Cup football competition ahead of Manchester High yesterday.

The Lenworth Hyde-coached team finished a perfect three wins in three matches in the quarter-final round to top Group Four with nine points. They completed their fixtures with a 3-1 over McGrath High to also qualify for the ISSA Champions Cup. Manchester High ended second in the group with six points after registering a 2-1 win over Cornwall College at Green Pond in St James. Manchester will contest both the Champions Cup and the Ben Francis Knockout Cup. Cornwall who managed just one win in the quarter-finals will only feature in the Ben Francis Cup.

In yesterday's encounter at Green Pond, Cornwall ruled the first half but struggled in front of goal. Manchester took the lead against the run of play when a free kick found an open Densil Lee at the back post in the 45th minute. Cornwall found the equaliser through Dane Buckley two minutes into first-half stoppage time as the teams went to the break at 1-1.

Manchester were early on the attack in the second half, putting Cornwall under intense pressure as they went after a winning goal. They finally got it in the 78th minute off the boot of Roshaun Reynolds.

Vassell Reynolds, coach of Manchester, said they are looking forward to the Ben Francis Cup which is an opportunity for the school to win a football trophy at the Under-19 level.

"I think we played well especially in the second half," Reynolds said.

"As a school, we haven't won a major trophy at this level and hence the Ben Francis Cup is important. We are trying to prepare the boys mentally to realise that this is an opportunity for the school to create history and develop a winning culture," he added.

Assistant coach of Cornwall, Warren Barrett, said he is proud of his boys who performed well and despite not making it to the daCosta Cup semis they can now focus on the Ben Francis Cup

"I'm really proud of the boys despite today's result. It's a young team that really did well in the competition. Even today we started on the front foot but credit to Manchester who gave a spirited performance," Barrett said.

"We look forward to the Ben Francis Cup. This trophy is up for grabs and I'm sure they would want to win a title. It's going to be tough because there are quality teams in it," he added. The semi-finals of the daCosta Cup will be played next month. The other three semi-finalists are Dinthill Technical, Manning's High and Garvey Maceo High.