Fast start for top teams in ISSA schoolgirl quarterfinal round
Published:Thursday | March 28, 2024 | 12:14 AMLivingston Scott/Gleaner Writer
TOP TEAMS in this year’s ISSA schoolgirl football competition started the quarterfinal round quickly on Tuesday.
Edith Dalton-James High School, for instance, kicked off their Group III effort with a 1-0 win over Seaforth High to keep their unbeaten run in the competition.
Olivia Nevers scored the game’s only goal in the 39th minute. Although coach Omar Taffe thought they should have been more lethal in front of goal, he said the signs were positive.
“We started the game very good, and Olivia scored. We could have scored more. But we fought and pulled through, and it shows we have the quality to reach further,” he said.
Even though Nevers, who has nine goals this season, is likely to miss the next game against St Andrew Technical High School (STATHS) because of a broken nose, Taffe believes that they have a very good chance of victory.
“STATHS and us always have a very competitive game. They beat us last year, and this year we drew with them. But we are stronger this year,” he added.
Playing at home, Edith dominated the first half, with the visitors barely making it out of their half.
They had a glorious chance to go in front after 25 minutes, but captain and national youth player Daneisha Rattray failed to convert from the spot after a handball in the box.
However, Nevers broke the deadlock when she reacted brilliantly to a loose ball on top of the area and volleyed home expertly.
Three minutes later, Nevers had to be rushed to hospital after sustaining a broken nose in a collision.
Seaforth were better in the second half, but Edith still dominated with leading scorer Felicia Brown a constant threat. Brown came close to adding to her 13 goals this season on a number of occasions.
Seaforth got a few late breaks but nothing to really trouble the home team’s defence.
Seaforth’s coach, Lansdall Parry, said they were missing three key players, and one starter had to pull out with injury before the game, leaving them with just the starting 11.
However, he insisted that they did not show that they really wanted it.
“Our players never wanted it. That is just it because I don’t see this team is better than us.”
In the group’s other game, favourites St Andrew Technical missed an early penalty before going down 1-0 to DeCarteret College.
Edith and DeCarteret share the lead in the group with three points each and the same goal difference.
Meanwhile, defending champions Excelsior blanked José Martí 8-0 to assume leadership of Group IV. The other game between Yallahs and Manchester High was not played.
Last season’s beaten finalists, Holmwood, also got their quarterfinal campaign off to a flying start, whipping Hampton School 6-0 in Group I.
However, it is Frome Technical who lead the group on goals scored after a 7-1 drubbing of Old Harbour.
In Group II, Garvey Maceo have taken charge following the 7-0 beating of Green Pond, while Central High trail on goal difference after a 2-0 win over Lacovia.
The next round of games are scheduled for Tuesday, April 9.