It's a Rusea's, STETHS final

Adrian Frater, News Editor

Western Bureau:Champions Rusea's High and Ben Francis Cup KO champions, St Elizabeth Technical High (STETHS), earned the right to contest the championship game in the 2011 ISSA/Gatorade/ Digicel daCosta Cup yesterday after scoring contrasting wins over Glenmuir and Grange Hill in yesterday's semi-finals.

It what was an absolute classic at Jarrett Park in Montego Bay, where Rusea's, behind a hat-trick from star striker Brian 'Rambo' Brown, scored a scintillating come-from-behind 3-1 win over Glenmuir in their much-hyped clash. The goals lifted Brown's season tally to 37 and his 12th in post-preliminary phase of the competition.

"We rode our luck well today but all credit to Brian (Brown) because his goal brought us back into the game," said Rusea's coach Anthony 'Follies' Williams. "This was definitely our toughest game of the season and we are thankful we came through it."

In Santa Cruz, it took a 4-3 penalty shoot-out win to give STETHS victory over the plucky Grange Hill who were in the last four for the first time. The teams were locked at 0-0 after regulation and extra time.

"It was our toughest game all season and all congratulations to Grange Hill as they are the first team to have stopped us from scoring all season," said STETHS's coach Andrew Edwards. "All credit to the boys for sticking it out and giving us the victory."

At Jarrett Park, the silky-smooth Glenmuir took the lead in the 11th minute when the prolific Noel Johnson benefited from a defensive blunder and fired home to silence the Rusea's fans.

Glenmuir's joy was short-lived as immediately after the restart, the prolific Brown pounced on a superb cross to the left of the penalty area and after controlling elegantly, cracked a fabulous shot, which left the goalkeeper a mere spectator as it crashed into the goal.

With both teams playing scintillating football and trading excellent attacks, Rusea's took the lead in stoppage time play. Brown again controlled excellently just outside the area and sent a rocket past the goalkeeper to give his team a 2-1 half-time lead.

The second half was equally

exciting with Johnson and Paul Wilson in full cry for Glenmuir going forward and Brown and the speedy Anthony Walker doing likewise for Rusea's at the other end. Goalkeeper Dane Chambers for Glenmuir and Richard Trench all got in the action with a series of fine saves.

With time running out in the game and Glenmuir all out in attack, Rusea's came at them with a crisp counter-attack and won a penalty after a defender handled the ball. Brown made no mistake from the spot.

"It was a very tough game and the occasion got the better of some of my players, especially the younger ones," said Patrick 'Jackie' Walters, the Glenmuir coach. "I must congratulate Rusea's and wish them well."