Defending champs Clarendon escape with draw at Frome

DEFENDING CHAMPIONS Clarendon College rallied to draw with Frome Technical High in their opening match of the round of 16 yesterday at the Llandilo Sports Complex in Westmoreland.

The result keeps Zone 2’s Munro atop with 3 points after a 4-1 thrashing of Cornwall College.

In a hard-fought, fairly balanced match, Frome’s leading goalscorer, Stevaughn Spence, with 19 strikes, opened the scoring in the 11th minute. It wasn’t until the 71st minute that Clarendon’s Chevon Watson levelled.

Frome outplayed the defending champions in the first half, controlling possession but failing to convert on clear-cut chances.

Things would get better for Frome in the 11th when they were duly rewarded with Spence’s header leaving Clarendon’s goalkeeper Roshae Burrell searching for answers.

Conceding a goal did not sit well with the defending champions, and they came hunting in the second half, much to the chagrin of the Frome fans.

The boys from Chapelton fought hard and began to dominate proceeding, and in the 71st minute, broke the Frome resistance when Watson capitalised on a fumble from Frome’s goalkeeper Oral Davis.

Frome weren’t about to lie down and created the final chance of the game, but Clarendon’s stout defending meant they would keep the game even.

Lenworth Hyde, head coach of Clarendon, said he was pleased with the team’s performance.

“We are improving, we are playing better, and it looks good for the future of our team. They are getting better at the right time. Players are maturing, and I am seeing it. They know the task at hand. I think the senior players have to step up. We just have to continue playing some good football, and whatever happens, happens,” Hyde said.

“We had to be hunting for the equaliser and try and get the win, but Frome defended well. I must lift my hat to the Frome team,” he added.

Cleighton Stephens, coach of Frome, was disappointed with the result.

“It was not the result I expected. We went one up early, and the players started to stay behind the ball. I gave them the instructions, but it was just not followed. Overall, it was a good game. We played the defending champions. No matter what team they have, they will always come good,” Stephens said.

Yesterday’s results

Frome 1-1 Clarendon

Happy Grove 0-5 Ocho Rios

Central 3-1 Manchester

STETHS 1-1 Garvey Maceo

Kemps Hill 5-0 Alphansus

Munro 4-1 Cornwall College

Glenmuir 4-0 Dinthill

McGrath 3-2 Denbigh