Glenmuir redemption
Clarendon College’s first loss hands Champions Cup title to rivals
Published:Sunday | December 3, 2023 | 12:11 AMOrane Buchanan - Staff Reporter
FRENETIC, EXHILERATING, breathtaking, whichever word you chose to describe last evening’s Champions Cup final inside the National Stadium, you would be right.
Glenmuir and Clarendon College put on a show with the Andrew Peart-conditioned unit, running away with a 3-2 victory thanks to goals from Ja-Son Whyte, Kyle Gordon and Orane Watson.
The fixture started at frenetic pace, with Clarendon College’s Christopher Hull sending an opening-minute warning shot, his powerful right-footed strike, saved by Glenmuir’s custodian Antwone Gooden.
Then it was Glenmuir’s Orane Watson, who tried his luck with a left-footed strike, in the fifth minute, which also had to be watched by CC goalie Roshae Burrell.
However, the deadlock was broken in the 18th minute as Kaheim Dixon slotted home from close range on the back of a classic Clarendon College buildup.
Clarendon College came close to doubling the lead in the 26th minute, Hull’s strike denied by Gordon.
Glenmuir would then level the score line in the 27th minute through Whyte’s well-placed effort.
In the second half, perhaps the turning point in the match, Clarendon College central defender Nahson Bolt-Barrett was shown a red card, giving Glenmuir a free-kick atop the box, which captain Gordon stepped up, spotted, and hammered home in the 53rd minute. As the chances grew for both teams, Glenmuir’s Watson saw his header go inches off target. Then it was Clarendon College’s Dixon in the 71st minute, who smashed his effort against the post, with the only reward, despair.
In the 82nd minute, Watson pounced on a goalkeeping error from Burrell to calmly slot home.
It should have been game, set, and match but in time added, Clarendon College’s Malachi Douglas converted from the penalty spot to create a few nervy moments.
According to Peart, his team could have done better in the first half and wants improvement, despite the trophy and despite being set to face the same opponents in just under a week.
“We’re happy to be in this moment as I thought the boys played a fantastic game, especially coming from behind. I thought in the first half we weren’t playing as we were supposed to be playing as we could have controlled the game,” said Peart.
Lenworth Hyde, head coach of Clarendon College, explained that he always felt his team, even with 10 players could have won the game and that he just needed to get them motivated for the daCosta final.
“Even when we went down we got numerous chances and could have won the game but we played well throughout the 90 minutes. We tried our best but it wasn’t meant to be,” Hyde explained.