High-riding STATHS held by Mona

Robert Bailey, Gleaner Writer

St Andrew Technical High (STATHS) were held to a 1-1 draw by minnows Mona in their Group D encounter in the Inter-Secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA)/ Pepsi/Digicel Manning Cup urban area senior schoolboy football competition at STATHS' Bumper Hall home ground yesterday.

Tamar Edwards scored for Mona in the 35th minute while Odane Elson equalised for STATHS in the 42nd minute.

In the group's other games, leaders Norman Manley blanked Pembroke Hall 4-0 and Penwood edged Holy Trinity 1.

Norman Manley lead the group with 23 points, one ahead of Penwood (22), while STATHS are third on 20.

However, Penwood and STATHS have three games in hand while Norman Manley have two.

Coach pleased

Phillips Williams, the coach of STATHS, was displeased with his team's performance.

"I am not happy with the result because the guys didn't turn up to play today and I don't know why," Williams said. "We were very flat and they never got started ... until the second half.

"We wanted to get all three points from Mona because they are one of the minnows in this zone and we didn't get it," he said. "Dropping two points here at home is very disappointing because this is a very big setback for us in our quest for a place in the second round of the competition."

Williams' opposite number, Rohan Oliver, was very pleased with his team's effort.

"I am very happy with the result because this is a good result for us," said Oliver. "Coming at STATHS and with the crowd support that they have and to get a draw against them, this is very good for us," Oliver said.

The match started an hour late due to heavy rains, which resulted in the referee reducing the game to 40 minutes per half.

Mona took the game to their opponents in the first half, which saw Edwards' two powerful righted-footed shots hitting the crossbar twice in the 10th and 12 minutes, respectively.

However, the skilful Edwards won his team a penalty in the 35th minute when he was brought down inside in the 18-yard box, this after dismissing three defenders.

Edwards then stepped up to fire home the spot kick past goalkeeper Dwayne Nolan.

However, Elson gave his team the equaliser two minutes into the second half with a spectacular overhead volley, which went like a rocket past goalkeeper Winston Taylor.

Yesterday's Results

Group A: Waterford vs Jamaica College rained out, Oberlin vs Camperdown rained out

Group B: Ascot 0 Jose Marti 0, Dunoon 0 Tivoli 0

Group D: STATHS 1 Mona 1, Norman Manley 4 Pembroke Hall 0, Penwood 1 Holy Trinity 0

Group F: Kingston College 8 St Catherine 0