Clarendon College draw plaudits from well-beaten opposition

THE LAST time Clarendon College (CC) and Rusea’s High met in the ISSA daCosta Cup final in 2017, it was the Hanover team that came out all smiles, but, fast-forward to 2022, Rusea’s won’t be smiling heading back out west after they were handed a 5-0 drubbing by CC in their round-of-16 Group Three clash at Foga Road yesterday.

From the opening whistle, CC were all over their western rivals, who were, in response, shell-shocked from as early as the opening minute when Malachi Douglas reacted first to a long ball that ricocheted off the crossbar and into play for him to rifle home.

That early pressure, which was specifically instructed by coach Lenworth Hyde, paid dividends once again. This time, Devonti Douglas headed home from close range in the 10th minute after goalkeeper Chadwick Campbell fumbled and failed to hold on to another long-range cross.

The bewildered Rusea’s side still did not know what hit them, as CC were enjoying as much as 90 per cent of the possession.

CC would notch another goal five minutes before the half, this time it was the wily Keheim Dixon, who reacted first to a poor clearance from the Rusea’s back line inside the area.

Down three-nil, coach Dwayne Ambersley made a couple of substitutions to try and stop the haemorrhaging. However, the marauding CC team kept their disciplined, attacking style going and duly got the fourth goal in the 64th minute through Dixon, who finished off some good work down the right side by Christopher Hull.

As luck would have it, Hull would be rewarded with a goal of his own, making it 5-0 in the 70th minute after slotting past Campbell.

“I am very pleased with the outcome, we did something different today by starting off pressing and running early at this unknown Rusea’s team, and it worked well for us,” said Hyde.

Ambersley said his team were totally outclassed by a well-oiled CC machine.

“The football that Clarendon College is playing is the yardstick for any schoolboy team to admire and emulate. We are from Hanover and, compared to Clarendon, that is how far our football is from CC,” said Ambersley.

In the other Group Three contest, Frome defeated York Castle High by 2-0 to open their round-of-16 campaign with three vital points.

Yesterday’s Results

Frome 2-0 York Castle

Garvey Maceo 0-0 Christiana

Manchester 1-1 Central

Manning’s 2-0 Edwin Allen

STETHS 0-2 Glenmuir

Clarendon College 5-0 Rusea’s

William Knibb 1-0 Paul Bogle

Dinthill 1-2 Cornwall College