3 weeks ago
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THE TWO most successful teams in the Ben Francis Cup knockout football competition’s history, six-time champions St Elizabeth Technical High School (STETHS) and four-time winners Clarendon College will meet in this year’s final after the two won their respective semifinals against Frome Technical and Denbigh respectively yesterday at the Glenmuir High School.
In the first game of the doubleheader, STETHS came from behind twice to edge last year’s finalists Frome, 3-2 while Clarendon College, via a penalty in the 55th minute, defeated first-time semifinalists Denbigh 1-0.
The opening game had a bit of déjà vu embedded with STETHS coming from behind to score three goals and earn a victory just as they had done in the quarterfinals of the daCosta Cup, on that occasion winning 3-1.
With just four minutes gone, Frome took the lead when Antwaye Cooper benefited from a defensive error to put his team in front, scoring from a header. The lead did not last long, however, as STETHS drew level in the 17th minute when Justin McPherson scored from close range as the score ended 1-1 at the half-time break.
Stevaughn Spencer put Frome in front for the second time in the 49th minute, but seemed to have brought STETHS to life rather than deflate them.
STETHS took control of play and it was no surprise when they drew level through Tobago’s Kaieem Lewis in the 64th.
Lewis’ goal came on the back of some magic from the boots of Deandre Barnett, who dismissed three players before laying a low cross on a platter for Lewis to slam home.
Nine minutes later, Lewis scored his second and his team’s third goal, this time doing the work himself.
Lewis turned on his marker before drifting across another and driving his finish high into the near post.
Winning coach Omar ‘Rambo’ Wedderburn said he was prepared for Frome. “ We knew coming into the game what to expect from Frome as we played them before but as discussed on the eve of the match, we reminded the guys about our mantra PPW, Play Performance Win,” he said.
Frome coach, Creighton Stephens, was disappointed.
“Today the guys did not play like they wanted it as they were just going through the motions,” said Stephens.
In the second encounter, Clarendon and Denbigh missed several opportunities to take the lead in the first half but were let down by poor finishing before Justin McPherson made no mistake from the penalty spot in the second half.
Lenworth Hyde, coach of Clarendon College, liked the discipline of his team. “Today was a good performance from the team as they were very disciplined in their play. Denbigh put us under pressure as they got some look-ins on our goal but defensively our guys were good,” said Hyde.
Given Denbigh’s best-ever season at this level, their coach Garfield Carney congratulated his players.
“In the second half I tried to change the system but it just did not work out. It was a good season for us. I think the guys did extremely well and I want to say ‘well done’ to them,” said Carney.
English (US) ·