2 weeks ago
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MCGRATH HIGH School booked their place in a first-ever daCosta Cup final after dismissing Ocho Rios High School 6-1 in the first of two semi-finals at the National Stadium yesterday.
In the second semi-final, Garvey Maceo got the better of favourites Glenmuir, holding the Champions Cup title-holders to a 0-0 draw before clipping them 4-2 on penalties.
Earlier, Shane Pusey led the way for McGrath with four goals, while captain Farel Tucker and a Joaquin Corothers own goal accounted for the others.
Coach of McGrath, Jermaine Thomas, said this journey started in 2017 and that the achievement is big for the school and the community of Linstead.
“From 2017 to 2019 we topped the group and got to the semi-finals, and getting back here (semis), the achievement is awesome, a big one, and I really want to commend the players,” said Thomas.
According to Thomas, the margin of victory wasn’t surprising either.
“We scored six goals, and to score six goals in a semi-final, what more can you ask for. Our front players will give any backline trouble, and we knew they were going to show up today,” he continued.
He also had special praise for Pusey, who he said has been transformed into a more reliable player since the latter stages of the competition.
“Pusey is one of those enigmatic characters. All season he has been hot and cold. But in the last three weeks, we have seen a different Shane Pusey.
“He has been responding in training, and we had some one-on-ones, and he promised me he would deliver, and today, he turned up and scored four in a semi-final. That’s a huge feat,” he commented.
Star forward Pusey, said the stage was set for him to deliver, and his teammates and coach were looking to him.
“I expected those four goals because my coach believes in us, and the team believes in me. So I just went out and did it for them because big players turn up in big games,” he said.
“Once I play well, my team plays well. It’s a great feeling. This is history-making in the Dacosta Cup by McGrath High School.”
Ocho Rios got off to the best possible start, as six minutes in, Keanu Reid freed himself from his markers and scuffled a shot past Orlando Griffiths in goal.
McGrath’s response was immediate.
Jim Mitchell forced goalkeeper Maleek Martin to push his shot for a corner, and from the resulting corner, Corothers turned the ball into his own goal.
Minutes later, Tucker worked his way into the area and slotted past Martin to put McGrath 2-1 in front.
Mitchell had a great opportunity to add to McGrath’s lead in the 17th minute, but his heavy touch allowed Martin to close him down.
However, minutes later, the St Catherine school was awarded a penalty after an infringement in the box, and Pusey powered home the spot kick to go 3-1 up.
McGrath continued to show more enterprise, and Pusey fired a good chance wide, as Jermaine Thomas’ team consolidated their dominance.
Four minutes after the break, the St Catherine team stretched their lead to 4-1, when Pusey broke loose and tucked the ball past Martin.
Ocho Rios showed a bit of resolve and got a couple of chances to pull a goal back but failed to capitalise.
However, they found themselves further behind when Pusey cut inside his marker and fired inside Martin’s near post to seal his hattrick and put his team 5-1 to the good.
Rajay McLaughlin smashed a freekick off the post for Ocho Rios late on. But McGrath responded with an equally impressive freekick that also hit the woodwork.
Pusey then completed the rout when he broke in behind and slotted the ball under Martin to make it 6-1.
“I think it is indiscipline [that caused the loss]. I don’t think it was the venue that much. Indiscipline in the defence line. I won’t lie. I am really upset [with] the way the defenders allowed them to come back in the game. It was too soft, too easy,” Ocho Rios coach Veron Peterkin lamented.
“But they wanted it more. I don’t know if it was nervousness. But we never wanted it more, and that is a bit upsetting to me because this is the semi-finals, and if you lose, you must give your best, and we did not do that.”
English (US) ·