4 weeks ago
24
OCHO RIOS High School and Jamaica College (JC) will await their opponents in the semifinals of the ISSA/WATA Champions Cup after identical 2-0 defeats of St Catherine and McGrath respectively in the first set of quarterfinals at the Montego Bay Sports Complex yesterday.
Ocho Rios got the better of first-time qualifiers St Catherine 2-0 to kick-start their title campaign and according to head coach Veron Peterkin, the win marks just another of the many firsts for them this season.
“It is the first time we are going to the semifinals of the Champion Cup. It was a good game. St Catherine started well to be fair to them. We started a bit flat and rushed the game. We didn’t start with much composure but we settled down just in time to take our chances and go two-nil up,” Peterkin told The Gleaner.
“Big up the ballers, they worked hard. They believed in the programme and in their coach,” he added.
Ocho Rios talisman Keanu Reid opened the scoring in the 42nd minute and completed a brace in the 56th to leave St Catherine without answers.
In the second game of the night, former champions JC were made to work for their place in the semifinal, even if the 2-0 scoreline would suggest comfort.
JC’s had a rough start when goalkeeper Taywane Lynch was issued a red card for a handled ball outside of the penalty area.
McGrath failed to take advantage of their man advantage and missed a number of chances.
They were made to pay for those missed chances when Dyllan John cut in from the left side, and used his marker as a shield, before neatly curling his effort into the far corner.
John’s 60th-minute goal wasn’t the end of the affair though, the attacker slipping past his marker down the left side before again curling his shot with the inside of the right boot around a hapless McGrath custodian in time added.
Davion Ferguson, coach of Jamaica College, said his side wanted to win for their goalkeeper.
“I think we did a good job in recovering this game. It was one of those games. The boys showed character, they showed heart and they pushed. We want to keep focused on what we did. They really wanted to win this game,” Ferguson said.
“This is the third time for Taywane Lynche this season. I don’t know what the issue is with him or the issue against him is. I think that call by the referee was a little bit questionable,” he added.
Yesterday’s Results
Ocho Rios 2-0 St Catherine
JC 2-0 McGrath High
Today’s Games
Hydel vs Garvey Maceo at 4:00 p.m.
Glenmuir vs KC at 6:15 p.m.
Both games take place at the Montego Bay Sports Complex
English (US) ·