Dinthill, Manning’s in daCosta semis

Western Bureau:

Dinthill Technical and Manning’s High did enough yesterday to book their spots in the semi-finals of the ISSA daCosta Cup football competition. St Catherine-based Dinthill continued their perfect win record with a 1-0 victory over Edwin Allen High at Drax Hall in St Ann courtesy of a Jahiem Thomas goal.

In the feature game, Manning’s drew 1-1 with Munro College at STETHS Sports Complex in Santa Cruz to get the point they needed to advance. The Westmoreland-based Manning’s topped Group Two with seven points, two ahead of Munro.

Manning’s had to survive a late surge from Munro who attacked relentlessly in the last 10 minutes of the game.

After a cagey goalless first half, Manning’s would take the lead in the 67th minute when Abeena Wallace headed home a corner kick.

With five minutes left in regulation time, Munro pushed forward and were rewarded with a screamer from the right boot of Sean Kenyon. They continued their surge into the four minutes of stoppage time but couldn’t find the winner.

OBJECTIVE

Everton Tomlinson, the Manning’s coach, said they are delighted to be back in the semi-finals for the first time in 16 year. However, their objective is to go all the way.

“The team stuck to the task. We came out here with the objective to win the game but unfortunately, we drew. I thought we should have won the game from the first half. The boys played well and are maturing, so I’m looking forward to a better performance in the semi-finals against even stronger opposition,” Tomlinson said.

“Getting to the semi-finals is really a great feeling but our objective is go beyond the semi-finals. Manning’s deserve to win (the daCosta Cup) because we are working hard towards it,” he added.

Patrick ‘Jackie’ Walters, the Munro coach, was not pleased with how long they took to push for the win.

“We made a late run but it was far too late. I must really congratulate Manning’s. I think it was an excellent performance from them. They didn’t allow us any space to play,” Walters said.

In the early game at STETHS, Vere Technical outscored Happy Grove 4-3 to book a spot in the Ben Francis KO Cup. Christiana High also secured Ben Francis football for January with a 3-2 win over William Knibb at Drax Hall to finish third in Group One.

The two matches to decide the semi-finalists from Group Four have been postponed to next Tuesday as a few players from Clarendon College are unwell. Clarendon are down to play McGrath High. The other game is between Cornwall College and Manchester High.

Today’s games1 p.m: St Thomas Tech vs Garvey Maceo – Kirkvine

1 p.m: STETHS vs Frome – STETHS