10-man Rusea’s scrap to 1-0 win over Frome

ELEVEN-TIME CHAMPIONS Rusea’s High School remain undefeated in this season’s ISSA/WATA daCosta Cup football competition, beating their rival Frome Technical High School 1-0 in a scrappy Zone B clash at the Collin Miller Sports Complex in Lucea yesterday.

Deonjay Brown struck the deciding goal for the Russians in the 66th minute.

The first half remained goalless, but Frome would have gone into the break the happier of the two, looking more purposeful and more comfortable in possession.

Things remained tight in the second half until Alaqa Logan of Rusea’s received a red card for a second bookable offence.

One man down proved no problem for the Russians, Deonjay Brown benefitting from a rebound when the Frome goalkeeper spilled a free kick.

The result lifted Rusea’s to the top of Zone B with 12 points and handed Frome their first loss of the season.

Yahkeeni Malcolm, assistant coach of Rusea’s High, was happy with the win under circumstances.

“If it has to be scrappy to win, then we are happy with the three points. As you see, it was a challenging game. Quality football is not played in the western region. We needed to win one-nil, so, therefore, that is how we played,” Malcolm said

Malcolm added: “We want to go to the second round. My coach is under pressure and I am happy that I can stand by you and say ‘well done’ for my team. This is not a revenge match, this is just a match to close off the first round. The revenge match will be down at Frome.”

Cleighton Stephens, coach of Frome Technical High, said his team did well.

“We played two games before this and we didn’t fight as hard as we did today. What I will say is they got their opportunity today and scored and we missed. We have a young squad, but I think, when we play them again, we will get a better result,” Stephens said.

“They are our rivals but, you know, to be honest, I am not disappointed because you know how derbies go. The guys showed a lot of character today, so I can’t complain.”

Other results:

William Knibb 3-0 Cedric Titus

Vere 2-1 Foga Road

Kemps Hill 1-1 Garvey Maceo

Manning’s 3-0 Grange Hill

Knockalva 3-1 Black River

Maggotty 8-0 Roger Clarke

STETHS 1-1 Munro

Newell 0-3 Lacovia

Aabuthnott Gallimore 2-5 Ferncourt

Manchester 6-0 Mt St Joseph

deCarteret 8-0 Cross Keys

Central 16-0 Porus

Discovery Bay 0-10 York Castle

Merlene Ottey 0-1 Green Island