Clarendon advance to semis

Adrian Frater, News Editor
WESTERN BUREAU:

CLARENDON COLLEGE became the first semi-finalist in the ISSA/Pepsi JN daCosta Cup yesterday when goals by Nefta Stewart and Damali Samuels gave them a 2-1 win over Garvey Maceo in their big Group One showdown at Brancourt, in Clarendon.

By virtue of their win, the Kevin Williams-coached Clarendon College now have the maximum six points from their two games and with just one round to be played, they are assured of one of the group's two semi-final places as only Glenmuir, who gave their semi-final bid a major boost with a 2-0 win over Rusea's to move to four points, can overtake them.

"We are happy and pleased to be in the semi-final as we are a little bit closer to achieving our dream of winning the daCosta Cup," said an elated Williams following his team's win. "I thought we went out there and did what we had to do and we got the result we wanted."

Despite yesterday's loss, Garvey Maceo are still in with a mathematical chance of advancing to the semi-finals. Should they beat Rusea's in their final game and move to four points, and Glenmuir, who now have four points, lose to Clarendon College, they would both finish on four points, leaving goal difference to decide which of them advances with Clarendon College. In Group Two, the race for the two semi-final places was thrown wide open as Ben Francis Cup champions Frome Technical were held to a 1-1 draw by Titchfield in their game at Drax Hall while surprise quarter-final round package Bog Walk continued to upset the form book, clipping fancied Denbigh 1-0 in their match-up at the Dinthill High School grounds.

With just Saturday's final round of matches to be played, Frome and Bog Walk are locked atop the standings with four points while Titchfield are very much in contention with two points. Denbigh, who have lost both games are out of contention.

Early scare

In the game at Drax Hall, the Frome Technical team was given an early scare when Dever Orgill fired Titchfield into a 16th-minute lead.

However, the Boysie Nicholson-coached team battled back to secure a share of the points when midfield star Obrian Woodbine converted from the penalty spot, making the final score 1-1.

"We came here today with the intention not to lose and we decided that we would play behind the ball," said Nicholson.

"Unfortunately, we gave up a goal but the players displayed a lot of character in fighting back to ensure that we got a point of the game."

For Titchfield's coach, Andrew Edwards, the point against Frome was crucial to their cause as it leaves them still in with a good chance to make the semi-finals.

"We intend to take full points from our final game against Denbigh and that should be good enough," said Edwards. "Last year we were in the same position and we made it through."

For Bog Walk, their four points has left them on the doorstep of creating history as, if Titchfield fail to beat Denbigh on Saturday, they would be into the semi-finals regardless of the outcome of their top-of-the-table clash with Frome Technical.