Western Bureau:
Many-time champions Cornwall College marched into the semifinals of the ISSA/WATA daCosta Cup a 1-0 victory over Glenmuir High School at Jarrett Park yesterday. Cornwall topped their quarterfinal Group 4 with nine points.
Solano Birch scored the lone goal for the hosts in the 43rd minute.
In other results yesterday, Frome Technical High suffered a shock 2-1 defeat to giant-killers Mile Gully High who had knocked out defending champions Rusea's High two weeks ago.
Frome, however, advanced to the semifinals on goals scored. Both Frome and Mile Gully were locked on six points with identical goal difference. The former, however, scored five goals to Mile Gully's four. Also advancing to the semi-finals were Clarendon College who topped Group 2 with nine points and Dinthill who also got nine points in Group 3.
Assistant coach of Cornwall, Warren Barrett, said securing a semifinal spot was their aim.
"We did what we had to do, as the first aim was to top our group and go into the semifinals," said Barrett.
"I think we will be having Frome in the semis but we also have the Champions Cup on the weekend so our focus might be shifted to that for now. However, the main aim is still the daCosta Cup," he added.
Barrett said he expects his players to improve in the semifinals.
"Today's game, we just needed a point and the boys just went through the motion, managing the game well because Glenmuir did not really test us defensively. The boys will be up for it in the semi-finals. We won't underestimate Frome of course. In such a game you know there will be nerves ... the weight of expectation on the shoulders can cause unnecessary pressure.
"Hopefully that won't happen ... as coaches myself and Dean (Weatherly) as former players we know what it's like to be in semifinals and finals so we will share our experiences. Also, a lot of them are winners who have won at Under-14 and Under-16 and we still have a few players from the 2016 team that won," Barrett said.
- Clarendon 3 St James 1
- STETHS 2 Petersfield 1
- Dinthill 2 Lennon 1
- Manchester 4 Old Harbour 0