Cornwall spank Cedric Titus 4-0

By Adrian Frater, News editor
Western Bureau

DaCosta Cup Zone A winners Cornwall College made their belated entry into the 2007 Ben Francis Cup KO competition yesterday afternoon when they scored a big 4-0 win over Zone D winners Cedric Titus at Jarrett Park, in Montego Bay.

In the game, which was slated for Wednesday but was pushed back by a day to facilitate an ISSA investigation into complaints that Cornwall College had used an ineligible player in the daCosta Cup, the Dr. Dean Weatherley-coached boys got their goals through Radcliffe Hall (two), skipper Edward Campbell and Mikhail Weatherley.

"With all the controversy surrounding us, the boys were determined to go out there and make a statement, and I believe they did," said Dr. Weatherley. "It would have been nice if we had got a goal in the second half, but it was a good result and we were satisfied with it."

After taking control quite early in the game, Cornwall College rushed into a fifth-minute lead when skipper Campbell pounced on a well-struck corner by Weatherley and fired home powerfully past goalkeeper Joe Broodie.

With Cedric Titus under pressure and having difficulty launching any meaningful attacks, Cornwall College doubled their lead in the 10th minute. Hall clipped a neat pass into the path of Weatherley and he fired home a fierce grounder from a difficult angle.

After blunting a good Cedric Titus counterattack in the 13th minute when Shavoi Clarke pounced on a rebound before the goal and fired wide, Cornwall widened their lead in the 15th minute. A blunder in the Cedric Titus defence opened the door for the lanky Hall, who calmly slotted home.

With time running out in the half and Cedric Titus finally showing some resolve, Cornwall College struck yet again in the 44th minute. On a break through the middle, Hall won possession some 25 yards from goal and cracked a savage shot, which rushed past the goalkeeper, making the half-time score 4-0.

In the second half, Cedric Titus looked a different team defensively as for the first time, they contained the Cornwall College front line and as a consequence, they gave up very few opportunities. In fact, they should have scored in the 50th minute when Romain Roberts fired inches wide from close range.

Midway the half, Weatherley got a glorious chance to double his personal tally when he dribbled in from the left flank but his fierce shot went straight at the goalkeeper, who parried the ball over the cross bar. Skipper Campbell also came close when he fired wide two minutes later.

Towards the end of the game, Cornwall College dropped the tempo of their play as both teams appeared tired. During that period, very few attacks were launched on goal.