1 week ago
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ST ANDREW Technical High School (STATHS) punched their tickets into the final of the ISSA Grace Mighty Malt U16 urban schoolboy football competition, edging Wolmer’s Boys’ School 4-3 in a thrilling clash at Winchester Park yesterday.
STATHS’ victory will see them playing the competition’s deciding match against Excelsior, who defeated St George’s College (STGC) 1-0 in their semifinal encounter at Calabar’s field.
Anthony Bennett, head coach of STATHS, said he knew the game would have been tough, bearing in mind the teams’ 2-2 draw earlier in the season.
“I knew it would be a tough game and the game played just as how it did the first time up at Wolmer’s. We got a lot of chances and didn’t finish, but now we had to dig deep at all times,” he said.
“All in all, my team did well, they fought to the end and that’s all I asked of them,” Bennett added.
STATHS started the better of the two, pinning the Wolmerians back and found purchase as they took the lead off the boot of Shankeno Grant in the 16th minute.
They doubled their lead a few minutes later as Grant completed a brace, firing a snap shot at goal on the turn.
Like a bolt from the blue, Romie Henry pulled one back for the Wolmerians with a stunning effort from distance with just seconds remaining in the first half.
The Wolmerians started the second half with sheer attacking intent, pulling level through a brilliant curling effort from Kishawn Lewis immediately after the restart.
Their jubilation would not last long, however, as STATHS restored their lead in the 50th minute from the penalty spot.
Kelvin Brown stepped up to the spot for the boys from Bumper Hall, and while his initial penalty was saved, he scored the follow-up effort.
STATHS took a second two-goal lead just five minutes later through Kirk King’s sneaky one-time effort at the near post.
Quano Reid would rally use a well-timed run into the box to tap in a cross to help Wolmer’s rally but it was too little, too late.
Bennett said their goalscoring form is a boost to their confidence as they know look towards the final.
“Getting four goals in any game, you have to be happy as a coach. We conceded three goals but we scored four times and we could have scored more but that is just football for you. We’ll go again and prepare for the final.”
In the other semifinal, Excelsior edged STGC with Damarley Williams getting the all-important strike for the Eagles.
Excelsior and STATHS are set for a Friday showdown.
YESTERDAY’S RESULTS
Wolmer’s 3-4 STATHS
Excelsior 1-0 STGC
English (US) ·