STETHS storm into semis

Adrian Frater, News Editor

WESTERN BUREAU:

Ben Francis Cup champions St Elizabeth Technical High School (STETHS) became the first qualifier for the semi-final of the 2011-12 ISSA/Gatorade/Digicel daCosta Cup schoolboy football competition, when they blanked Cedric Titus 3-0 in one of yesterday's Group One quarter-final games, to move to maximum six points.

STETHS, who got their goals from the prolific Kevon Farquharson, Akeem Jones and Rodney Pitter, only need to avoid defeat in their final game against Glenmuir High to top the group.

Nil-all draw

Glenmuir were held to a 0-0 draw against Frome Technical, which left them in second place on four points.

"We achieved our quarter-final objective, which was to qualify for the semi-finals after our first two games," said STETHS's coach Andrew Edwards. "We did not play as well as we could in second half because complacency crept into our play."

In their game against Frome, the Patrick 'Jackie' Walters-coached Glenmuir failed to score for the first time in the competition and, as a consequence, they will need to take at least a point against STETHS on Saturday to avoid any complications, should Frome beat Cedric Titus in their game.

"We came here looking for all three points and although we got the chances we failed to make use of them," said Walters.

In addition to the points given up, Glenmuir suffered a setback immediately after the final whistle as their captain Kamal Henry was red-carded by the referee for an unspecified offence.

In Group Two, the big top-of-the-table clash between Rusea's High and Paul Bogle High at Jarrett Park in Montego Bay was somewhat disappointing as the teams played to a tame, if not lacklustre draw. The result left both teams as joint leaders of the group with four points each.

"This was definitely not our best performance this season, but we won't complain too much," said Rusea's coach Anthony 'Follies' Williams. "We will just have to finish the job on Saturday."

In the other Group Two game, Grange Hill High rolled back into contention when they defeated Petersfield High 2-1 to secure an important three points, which kept them in the race for a semi-final place. Dale Brown netted both goals for Grange Hill.

"We are quite confident that we will still go through," said Grange Hill's coach, Dave Warren. "We usually get the best out of this team when our backs are against the wall."