Kwesi Mugisa, Staff Reporter
Ewarton's Troy Isaacs (left) controls the ball ahead of Dinthill's Antonio Watt in their daCosta Cup Group J match at the Whitehall playing field in Ewarton yesterday. Ewarton won the encounter 2-1. - RICARDO MAKYN/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
AN EXTRAORDINARY strike by substitute Jason Thompson allowed Ewarton to snatch a valuable three points with a 2-1 victory over Dinthill in Group J action of the Issa/Pepsi/JN daCosta Cup competition yesterday at the Whitehall playing field in Ewarton.
The goal came just seconds after the referee had indicated that there would be three minutes of stoppage time added on.
Thompson picked up the ball in what seemed to be a fairly harmless position and fired a high looping shot towards goal. Back-peddling custodian Troy Simmonds, try as he may, could get no touch on the ball and had to watching it rattle the roof of the net.
Ewarton had been the aggressors from the opening whistle and they went in front in the seventh minute when left back Lincoln Green headed past Simmonds to steal the early advantage. However, Dinthill were undaunted and their speedy flank attacks began to worry the Ewarton back line.
SCORES LEVELLED
It was from one of those attacks that midfielder Oneil Colquhoun collected the ball, drifted inside and rifled past Ewarton 'keeper Ricardo Brown from about 18 yards out to level the scores.
Before the game-winning strike by Thompson, Ewarton had the better of the chances and often they brought the Dinthill attack to a halt with some tough tackling.
Dinthill coach Frank Brown, while disappointed by the loss, commended his team's effort .
"I appreciate what the team has done here today because we have not been able to train due to some internal problems," Brown said.
Ewarton coach Kevin Whitlock, while glad for the victory, believed his team could have done better.
"We never played the full 90 minutes like we expected but, nonetheless, it's a victory and an ugly win is better than a pretty loss." he said.
YESTERDAY'S RESULTS
Group A
| Anchovy | 4 | Maldon | 0 |
| Irwin | 1 | Cornwall | 2 |
| William Knibb | 2 | Herbert Morrison | 1 |
| Muschett | 2 | St James | 0 |
Group J
Ewarton 2 Dinthill 1
Group K
| Iona | 1 | Annotto Bay | 1 |
| St Mary High | 1 | Brimmervale | 1 |
| Tacky | 1 | St Mary Technical | 1 |
