Rusea's hammer Maldon

Adrian Frater, News Editor

WESTERN BUREAU:

The express force of reigning champions Rusea's claimed yet another victim in the 2011-12 ISSA/Gatorade/Digicel daCosta Cup yesterday afternoon, when they registered their sixth consecutive win - a 5-0 thrashing of Maldon in their Zone B fixture at Jarrett Park in Montego Bay.

The Russians, who have now completed the competition's first round with maximum 18 points and an enviable 38 goals for and none against record, got their goals through national Under-17 player Anthony Walker (two), the prolific Brian 'Rambo' Brown, Damion Alexander and Javon James.

"It was another workmanlike performance and we are pleased with the result," said Rusea's coach Anthony 'Follies' Williams. "We will now be looking to take our first- round form into the second round."

Over in Zone A, 2008 champions St James High completed their first-round fixture with a perfect win record, clipping Irwin High 1-0 at Irwin. Veteran defender Kenniel Kirlew got the game's lone goal.

Cornwall miss again

In another Zone A game, many-time champions Cornwall College again faltered as they were held to a 0-0 draw by William Knibb on their home turf.

In another game in Zone A, Green Pond notched their second win of the season, a 4-2 effort over Muschett High on their home turf. However, it was a tough assignment as, after leading 3-0 at the half-time break, they were outplayed in the second half when Muschett netted twice to almost tie the game, before Green Pond got their insurance goal.

Christopher Reid, Carey Spence and Glenroy Williams got the first-half goals for Green Pond. Goalkeeper Odean Clarke (penalty) and Nicoy Edwards pulled Muschett close in the second half, before Tevin Lawson sealed the issue for Green Pond.

Former champions St Elizabeth Technical High School (STETHS), who have been having a merry excursion through Zone F, had their momentum cut by the weather, as their game away to DeCarteret College was rained out.

In other games in the group, Munro College joined STETHS atop the group standings on 16 points, after carving out a 2-0 win against Balaclava, while Lacovia registered a 3-0 win against Newell High.

"With this game being rained out our schedule will become tighter," said STETHS coach, Andrew Edwards. "We will have to find ways to keep our players from burning out with this tighter schedule."

In Zone K, Annotto Bay High created the upset of the day, ending Buff Bay's impressive four-game winning streak with a 2-0 win. Incidentally, it was Annotto Bay's first win after having one draw and three defeats in their previous four games.