Rusea’s bow out, STETHS keep improving

ST ELIZABETH Technical High School (STETHS) ensured there were no hiccups on their way to the next round of the ISSA/WATA daCosta Cup football competition when they ended The Manning’s School’s hopes of doing the same with a 3-0 victory at The Manning’s School’s playfield in Savanna-la-Mar yesterday.

STETHS, Group 3 winners, will be joined in the round of 16 by Manchester High, who defeated William Knibb 1-0 yesterday. Both are tied on seven points, with STETHS leading on goal difference.

In a hostile environment, STETHS’ Jordan Blake opened the scoring in the 60th minute before Justin McPherson doubled the lead in 79th. Henry Johnson, hammered the nail in The Manning’s coffin in the 88th.

While STETHS were deserved winners, dominating the game, Manning’s may have themselves to blame as well, wasting clear-cut chances throughout.

At half-time, with the score at 0-0, Manning’s coach Everton Tomlinson was still very much in a position to make it to the round of 16.

“We have to work for each other and fight together. Just relax, we cannot afford to draw,” said Tomlinson at half-time.

However, a late second-half blitz would put paid to any of those plans.

Omar ‘Rambo’ Wedderburn, coach of STETHS, said the team came with a game plan and they executed.

“We came here not to defend but hunting a goal or two. Our game plan was to play, perform, and win, and that is what we displayed. We are looking forward to the next round and, like we always do, plan for the team and then we execute,” Wedderburn said.

“We knew it was going to be an awful game in terms of Manning’s having to dig deep. Overall, we feel good about the game,” he added.

Tomlinson called the game disappointing, and the officiating, outrageous.

“I am officially retiring from football. I am hurt. What I witnessed here today for the officiating gives me no encouragement to continue to teach young people to play or continue with the game. Me fed up, done with it, and I don’t think I can offer anything more.

“We just hurt the youngsters and allow them to turn to violence. I am upset and, as of this moment, I don’t want see or hear about football. Believe me, I am that bitter.”

Group 1’s Cornwall College, who mined a 4-0 win over Spot Valley yesterday and Kemps Hill, who broke the hearts of Rusea’s with a 1-0 victory, are also through to the round of 16.

Defending champions Clarendon College booked their place after a 2-0 win over Titchfield High. Group 8’s McGrath High won 3-2 over Christiana, while Garvey Maceo thrashed St Mary High to advance.

Yesterday’s results

Cornwall 4-0 Spot Valley

Manchester 1-0 William Knibb

Kemps Hill 1-0 Rusea’s

Glenmuir 3-0 Paul Bogle

St Mary’s High 0-5 Garvey Maceo

McGrath 3-2 Christiana

Holmwood 0-2 Belair