Cornwall stay tops despite second Irwin draw

CORNWALL COLLEGE and Irwin High School, meeting for the second time in this season’s ISSA/WATA daCosta Cup, are yet to find a way to separate themselves, playing to another 1-1 draw at the Irwin High Sports Complex in St James yesterday.

Irwin had a goal from Captain Leo Campbell, scoring his seventh goal of the season in the 40th minute, and in the 54th minute, Cornwall College’s captain, Braxton Richards, struck back to even the score.

Just like the scoreline, the game was an evenly contested affair until a Cornwall College defensive error gifted Campbell space to run. Outrunning the backline, Campbell struck fiercely to give Irwin goalkeeper Carlyle Tinglin no chance.

Cornwall College coach, Dr Dean Weatherly, could be heard calming his players down after the error.

“Yes, they score a goal on us. Don’t worry about that. We have multiple chances, but we are not doing anything with them. Do something!” Weatherly said.

In the second half, Cornwall listened. Attacking with more consistency.

It didn’t take long before that attacking bent paid off, Richards controlling on his right foot before curling his effort past Irwin goalkeeper, Jkwon Kenton.

Late in the half, both teams threw away easy chances to take the lead.

Cornwall struck the outside of the Irwin post and efforts from the latter failed to stay on target.

Irwin High’s manager, Fabian Kelvin, said the end result is not what the team wanted.

“The ball is round, so we have to take it as it is. I was not pleased with the call the referee made against my player in the box, giving him a yellow card. I think it was unfair, and I don’t think it was warranted,” Kelvin outlined.

“In the end, both teams played well and thumbs up to Leo. He is one of our strikers, so we have to acknowledge him. He played seven games this season and scored in all seven,” he added.

Weatherly also believes his team could have had a better result.

“Irwin gave us a spirited effort. We went down late based on one chance that they got and which I would say is a really good goal by their centre forward. For our efforts, the game shouldn’t have ended up being a draw based on how we were playing for most of the game. We had them on the back foot,” Weatherly said.

“It is early days for us in terms of preparing for the next round. We just have to work on our finishing and see where it goes from there,” he added.

Cornwall remains atop the zone with 17 points, while Irwin are second with 15.

Other results yesterday

Frome 6-1 Green Island

Happy Grove 3-2 Port Antonio

Green Pond 3-0 Maldon

Irwin 1-1 Cornwall

St James 2-1 Spot Valley

Vere 0-0 Kemps Hill