Western Bureau:
Clarendon College marched into the semi-finals of the ISSA-FLOW daCosta Cup with a spirited 3-1 victory over St James High at Manchester High yesterday.
Nicque Daley led the way with a hat-trick for the winners.
Daley proved too much for the defensive St James High who were pulled apart for the first time in the competition this season. The Clarendon hit-man opened his account in the 23rd minute after being left unmarked on the top of the box. Five minutes before the break, he was again on the score sheet and then returned early in the second half (58th minute) to complete his hat-trick and secure his team's spot in the semi-finals.
St James High's substitute, Ackeem Smith, scored his team's consolation goal in the 62nd minute.
Clarendon College coach Byjeon Thomas said he was pleased with the way his team played against a very good and well-coached opponent and praised Daley.
"It was a brilliant performance from him, you could see that he was up for the game from the start and I'm just happy he is finding the back of the net," said Thomas.
St James High's Theodore Whitmore was very disappointed with his team's display.
"We just did not play today. Our players did not stand up for us, and as a result, we were beaten by a team that was better than us this afternoon," said Whitmore.
Clarendon College will be joined by Rusea's High, last year's beaten finalists St Elizabeth Technical and Dinthill Technical in the semi-finals.
Other results: Spot Valley 3 Garvey Maceo 0; Glenmuir 2 Little London 3; Manchester 7 Frome 0; Dinthill 2 Central 0; Cornwall College 1 Lennon High 1; St. Mary Tech 0 Rusea's 4; STETHS 3 Holmwood 0.