STETHS-Paul Bogle final

Adrian Frater, News Editor

Western Bureau:

Reigning daCosta Cup champions, St Elizabeth Technical High School (STETHS) and first-time finalists, Paul Bogle High School, yesterday earned the right to meet in this Saturday's Ben Francis Knockout championship match when they emerged semi-final winners over St James High and Manchester High, respectively.

In the game at Jarrett Park, the resolute STETHS came from behind twice to hold St James to a 2-2 regulation and extra-time scoreline before surging away in the decisive penalty shoot-out. The Santa Cruz-based institution were perfect from the penalty spot, scoring all four times, while St James missed three of their four spot kicks.

"We came well prepared for this game, but special commendation must go to my goalkeeper and captain, Gregory McKogg, who had a excellent game," said Andrew Edwards, coach of STETHS.

"We came expecting to win and although it was via the penalty shoot-out route, we are happy," added Edwards.

In the other semi-final at St Catherine Prison Oval in Spanish Town, this season's surprise team, Paul Bogle, created history when Paul Irons shot them into a 1-0 extra-time win against Manchester High. The teams had battled to an exciting 0-0 regulation scoreline.

"This is the best thing that has ever happened for us at Paul Bogle, as no team from St Thomas has ever qualified for a final of this magnitude before," said Winston Downie, Paul Bogle's coach.

First-time champion

Downie added: "This win is for all the people of St Thomas who have been waiting for something like this for a long time."

The fact that STETHS and Paul Bogle have qualified for the final means that a new first-time champion will be crowned, as none of these teams had ever won the Ben Francis title. STETHS have won the daCosta Cup three times.

At Jarrett Park, St James High took the lead in the 76th minute. Midfielder Alwayne Barrett sent Allan Ottey clear with a perfect pass and he fired sweetly past the goalkeeper, making the score 1-0.

The resolute STETHS struck back five minutes later when Kevon Farquharson was fouled in the goal area and the referee ruled penalty. Levaughn Baker made no mistake from the spot, making the score 1-1.

With the action fast-paced and exciting as both teams traded excellent attacks, St James High regained the lead in the 83rd minute. The wily Ottey was on target again, as he pounced on a long clearance and booted past the advancing goalkeeper.

With time ticking away, STETHS benefited from a major blunder by the St James High goalkeeper, Everette Nunes, who mishandled a free kick from Jason Jacobs, thus allowing the alert Davian Ash to fire the rebound into the goal, ending regulation play at 2-2.

With extra time yielding no goals, Baker, Dravian Williams, McKogg and Ash were perfect from the spot, giving the STETHS team victory and a chance to win their first Ben Francis title.