Big STETHS victory sets up last-day drama in Zone 1

A HAT-TRICK from Justin McPherson helped lead St Elizabeth Technical High School (STETHS) to a 6-1 victory over Alphansus Davis High School in an ISSA/WATA daCosta Cup round-of-16 match at the St Elizabeth Technical High School (STETHS) Sports Complex yesterday.

The result eliminated Alphansus Davis, who lost their first game of Zone 1 against Kemps Hill, 5-0.

STETHS are tied with Kemps Hill on four points, after the latter drew with Garvey Maceo 0-0 yesterday.

Garvey Maceo are on two points, having drawn with STETHS, and will play Alphansus Davis, who turn their attention to the Ben Francis Knockout’s first round on Saturday.

As it stands, any of three teams are still in with a chance of making the quarter-finals and find themselves in must-win situations going into the final round of games.

McPherson started things early, scoring in the seventh minute, but watched as his strike was cancelled out a minute later through Devaughn Higgins. McPherson went back to work, grabbing goals in the 13th and 16th minutes to re-establish STETHS’s dominance.

Kaieem Lewis struck in the 43rd minute to put STETHS 4-1 up at half-time.

However, STETHS had to wait until the 84th minute to add to their tally when captain Deandre Barrett scored. And it was not until injury time that Shemmar Stewart hammered the final nail in the Alphansus coffin.

“This is my first hat-trick of the season. I am very grateful that I could help my team with the victory today, because we really needed a win after we drew Saturday. I am just really hoping for a better performance and, hopefully, we can go all the way,” McPherson said.

Continuing, he said, “I feel we could have done much better, and it is still a work in progress. Next match against Kemps Hill, we can do better.”

Tafari Burton, coach of Alphansus Davis High, said the team lost composure.

“In the first 10 minutes, our boys lost composure. A little of the inexperience came in as well. We got ourselves back in and locked it at one all, but, within no time, we lost it. I know you never want to lose like this, but it is good for them because, next year, most of them can play. I think this exposure is good for them, reaching this far in the round of 16.

Yesterday’s Results

STETHS 6-1 Alphansus Davis

Garvey Maceo 0-0 Kemps Hill

Dinthill 6-1 Happy Grove