Clarendon capitalise on fast start

Western Bureau

CLARENDON COLLEGE are boasting the real ‘CC’ tag after a narrow 2-1 win over Cornwall College in their Inter-Secondary Schools’ Sports Association (ISSA) daCosta Cup quarter-final group match at the STETHS Sports Complex in Santa Cruz yesterday.

Clarendon started in commanding fashion, leading by two goals in 14 minutes. Davian McLean opened the scoring in the ninth minute before Dane Buckley gave the defending champions a two-goal cushion five minutes later. They were in control with possession of the ball until just before the break.

Cornwall were fortunate to have the deficit cut by an own goal in the 40th minute.

Cornwall settled into their groove after the break to start creating chances, but could not find the equaliser. They were also fortunate as Clarendon failed to convert a few chances of their own.

While happy for the three points, coach of Clarendon College, Lenworth Hyde, was disappointed with their overall performance and said they have to get the mental aspect right, going forward in this quarter-final round.

Got complacent

“We scored two early goals and got complacent. We were not pushing to get another goal and let Cornwall back into the game. I didn’t like our performance today, we have played much better on numerous occasions,” Hyde said.

“This is a higher round, so we have to learn how to deal with that. It’s just the mental part of it; physically and tactically we are doing well,” he added. “They are youths, so we have to spend time on that part and we will be fine.”

Warren Barrett, assistant coach of Cornwall, blamed their slow start for the loss, but noted that he is proud of his team’s effort.

“In the first 15 to 20 minutes, I think we gave Clarendon too much respect. After we went two down, we started to assert ourselves. In the later part of the first half, we got back in the game from a fortuitous goal,” Barrett said.

“I think we are in better condition, so, in the second half, we decided to go high and pressed them,” Barrett said.

“Nothing to be ashamed of, I’m really proud of them, especially in the second half. We had Clarendon on the back foot for long periods. Unfortunately, we couldn’t find the equaliser, but (we) just have to look forward to Wednesday’s game. We will look back at our mistakes and what we need to improve on,” he added.

In the second game, Garvey Maceo continued their perfect run in the competition with a 2-0 win over 10-man Frome Technical. Cleo Clarke and Gregory Cousins netted the goals in the 21st and 25th minutes, respectively.

Yesterday’s results:

STETHS 6 St Thomas Tech 1

Manchester 4 McGrath 0

William Knibb 0 Edwin Allen 2

Mannings 3 Vere 2

Happy Grove 1 Munro College 1

Dinthill 4 Christiana 0

Clarendon 2 Cornwall 1