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Barnaby slams in four as Denbigh move forward
October 25, 2024
DENBIGH High School's Lashawn Barnaby was on 'fire' in their match against Holmwood Technical on Thursday at Foga Road in their final game in Zone 5 of the second round of the rural ISSA WATA daCosta Cup football competition, as he scored all four goals to give his team a 4-0 win.
Victory made Denbigh the 16th and final qualifier for the next round of the competition.
Coming off a 4-3 defeat in their previous match on Saturday against Happy Grove at Carder Park in Portland, Denbigh went into their final Group 5 match with one point; third behind leaders Happy Grove on six and Belair on four.
Knowing that only a win could guarantee them a chance at qualification, and at the same time hoping for a favourable result in the game between Belair and Happy Grove at Brooks Park in Mandeville.
A draw would have been enough for Belair in the game at Brooks Park, but Happy Grove defeated Belair 5-1, eliminating the Manchester-based school.
In the end, Denbigh grabbed the second automatic spot with a better goal difference despite ending with four points like Belair. They had a goal difference of positive three to Belair's minus two.
Barnaby, who scored eight goals in the second round, including a hat-trick against Happy Grove, was very elated with his performance and helping his team to advance.
"I am full of joy. I am feeling great for me and the team knowing that it was a great moment for us. The coaching staff and the guys were determined to do something special and I am looking forward to scoring more goals in the round of 16 to ensure that the team goes deep into the competition," said Barnaby.
Denbigh will go up against McGrath High in their opening round-of-16 match on Saturday at Dinthill Technical High School and coach Garfield Carney is looking forward to this encounter.
"First I must say I am happy with the team advancing as the objective was to get three points and then see what the result in the other game would be. The guys came out and played well and did the job," Carney said.
"We are confident that we can get a positive result against McGrath on Saturday," added Carney, who is in his second coaching stint at the institution.
