Hero ‘keeper sends 10-man STETHS into Ben Francis semis

ST ELIZABETH Technical High School (STETHS) goalkeeper Johnoi Steadman was the man of the match for saving two penalties to help his side squeeze out a 9-8 penalty shoot-out victory over Cornwall College in an ISSA/WATA Ben Francis Cup’s quarterfinal-round game at Llandilo Community Centre in Westmoreland yesterday.

STETHS and Cornwall played to a goalless draw, the former doing it the hard way after Jevorn Wright was issued a red card in the 38th minute to leave the eventual winners at a disadvantage for the majority of the encounter.

The game, a difficult trudge, roared to life at the end of regulation time. It took 20 penalties to separate the teams

The result means that STETHS join Clarendon College, Denbigh, and Frome in the semi-finals.

Omar 'Rambo' Wedderburn, coach of STETHS, pointed to how difficult it was for his team to play with 10 men for as long as they did.

"It was a very tough game after getting a red card in the first half against a Cornwall team with 10 players. It was also hard to bounce back after that loss on Saturday. We really stuck into it and decided to get this victory. I am happy with how the game played out because we came here with the intention to win," Wedderburn said.

The game remained even until Cornwall's Mekhi Foster had his penalty saved by Steadman. Cornwall's goalkeeper Carlyle Tinglin wasn’t to be outdone, going on to save Maleik Wellington’s penalty.

The scores remained even until sudden death when both goalkeepers stepped up to take penalties. Steadman saved Tinglin’s penalty before returning to boot his past his opposite number.

“The game was rough because we lacked confidence, but we managed to be victorious. I felt good saving those goals, but it was nothing special, nothing new, because I have been working on it in training with my coaches," Steadman said.

Meanwhile, Theodore 'Tappa' Whitmore said the team was hurt by proiglacy.

"What let us down was the action in the final third of the game. We created chances but failed to convert. I think we controlled and dominated most parts of the game. The penalty shoot-out was a lottery. It could have gone either way, but congratulations to the STETHS team," Whitmore said.

- Ashley Anguin

Yesterday’s results

STETHS 0-0 Cornwall (9-8) penalties

Frome 2- 0 Manchester

Denbigh 3-1 Munro College

Central 3-4 Clarendon College