Glory for Glenmuir

Adrian Frater, News Editor
WESTERN BUREAU:

IT TOOK all of 120 minutes and 10 penalties to decide a winner but, in the end, Glenmuir High School emerged the 2006 ISSA/Pepsi/JN daCosta Cup champions yesterday when they defeated Frome Technical 3-2 on penalties after they had battled to a 1-1 regulation and extra-time deadlock at Jarrett Park, in Montego Bay.

"After the disappointment of last year we really wanted to make amends and the players came out highly motivated and they got the job done," said Glenmuir's coach, Patrick 'Jackie' Walters. "This was a total team effort as the players have been playing for each other all season."

In a game of two contrasting halves, Frome dominated the first and went into the break with a 1-0 lead, courtesy of a superb strike by Rohan Watson.

However, in the second half, Glenmuir took charge and it was no surprise when they drew level through a 57th-minute equaliser from skipper James Thomas.

Injured players

"We played with a number of injured players, and in the second half we were forced to make changes as the players began to feel the effect of their injuries," said Boysie Nicholson, coach of the Frome team. "Nonetheless, we created enough chances in the first half to have won the game comfortably."

Within 10 minutes of the start of the game, Frome should have taken the lead. First, in the fifth minute, Obrian Woodbine's free kick slipped from the grasp of the goalkeeper, but Keswick Samuels failed to capitalise on the opportunity to score. Three minutes later, Woodbine broke clear, but fired straight at the goalkeeper.

In the 17th minute, Frome took the lead with a peach of a goal. The wily Woodbine flicked a pass to Watson and, in one motion, he chipped the ball, pivoted and fired home powerfully, which led to a half-time score of 1-0.

The second half started with Glenmuir looking a different team as they began challenging the Frome defence with a series of well-coordinated attacks. In the 57th minute, Thomas took on the Frome defence with a sizzling dribble and completed his effort with a cracking shot which flashed past the goalkeeper, making the score 1-1.

Towards the end of the game, both teams came close with good attacks, but their efforts proved futile. Regulation time ended with the score still at 1-1. Extra time played also failed to break the deadlock.