Champs STETHS book date with Rusea's

Adrian Frater, News Editor

Western Bureau:

Champions St Elizabeth Technical High School (STETHS) booked themselves a semi-final date with reigning daCosta Cup champions Rusea's yesterday afternoon, when they opened their Ben Francis KO defence with a big 5-0 win over Cedric Titus on their home turf in Santa Cruz.

"I thought we played a tactically sound game today and basically got the result we wanted," said STETHS coach Andrew Edwards. "I am very confident that we will retain our title regardless of who we come up against."

In other games yesterday, Rusea's turned in an excellent second half performance to defeat St James High 2-0 in their much-anticipated showdown at Jarrett Park; the little fancied Paul Bogle came up big, surprising Old Harbour 2-0 while in the day's final game, Manchester High surprised Glenmuir 1-0.

In the game against Cedric Titus, STETHS continued to show the dazzling form they have been showing all season and it paid off through goals from Kevon Farquharson (two), Akeem Jones, Jason McLean and Davion Ash.

In the big clash between Rusea's and St James High at Jarrett Park, fans were treated to a thrilling first half in which the teams ended 0-0. However, in the second half, Rusea's changed gears and sealed victory through goals from Demar Dohman (two) and Damion Alexander.

"We basically went back to basic at half-time, knocking the ball around and searching for opening and ones we start finding openings, the goals started coming," said Anthony 'Follies' Williams, the coach of Rusea's. "This was a good test for us today and we game through quite well."

After watching St James High squander the two easiest chances of the game through Randy Myrie and Jason Malcolm in the first half, Rusea's took the lead with a sparkling strike in the 60th minute. After breaking free on the left side, Alexander cracked a fabulous grounder, which left the St James High goalkeeper a mere spectator, making the score 1-0.

In the 72nd minute, Rusea's were at it again. Dohman broke free through the middle and drove his shot wide of the helpless goalkeeper, making the score 2-0 and sending the 'Russian' fans into a screaming frenzy.

With momentum in their favour and St James coming under increasing pressure, Rusea's sealed the issue in the 85th minute. Dohman fired a speculative long range shot, which struck the goalkeeper and ricocheted into the goal, making the final score 3-0.

In Wednesday's semi-final games, STETHS will journey west to match skills with Rusea's while in the other game surprise package Paul Bogle will lock horns with Manchester High.