Kwesi Mugisa, Staff Reporter
Calabar's Akeem Bennett fends off a challenge from St. Catherine's Janoi Purrier in second-round action of the ISSA/Pepsi/JN Manning Cup at the Constant Spring Complex yesterday. Calabar won 2-1. - IAN ALLEN/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
ELTHAM HIGH stomped Mona 8-0, while Calabar clipped St Catherine 2-1 in Group Two action of the ISSA/Pepsi/JN Manning Cup at the Constant Spring Complex yesterday, bringing the quest for a place in the semi-finals down to a rugged final match-day dogfight.
A victory for title favourites Calabar keeps their chances of advancing in good stead. But the fact that they did so on two penalty calls left a bitter taste in the mouths of the St. Catherine faithful.
St. Catherine's Kemar Bennett pushed his team ahead in the 13th minute when he scored his third goal in two games. Bennett cushioned a well-weighted cross swung across by Duran Dilworth, before turning to easily slot the ball around Calabar custodian Oneil Watson.
PHYSICAL ENCOUNTER
However, in a physical encounter which saw St. Catherine with the better of the first half play, the men from Red Hills Road pulled one back in stoppage time of the first half. A shot from Calabar captain Ramone Palmer hit the boot and then the hand of an unfortunate St Catherine defender. Robert Palmer then stepped up and held his composure to bring his team back on level terms headed into halftime.
It was a more dominant Calabar that came out for the second half with the introduction of the dangerous Lennox Creary as they pressed for the go-ahead goal. But it would be a cruel twist of fate for St. Catherine which would see them acquire it. An attempted Calabar cross was blocked by St. Catherine's Kemar Daley who jumped to stop it and with both hands almost up to his his face.
The ball, which appeared to crash into his torso, was judged to be another hand ball by the referee, who after checking the player's position, pointed to the spot. Palmer once again stepped up to secure victory for his team in the 67th minute.
In the day's early encounter, a hat-trick from Rayon White led the way for Eltham in their 8-0 thrashing of Mona High. Two goals each were added by Andre Clarke and captain Dwayne Hunter, who had two penalties. There was a single goal for Sheron Brown.
| YESTERDAY'S RESULTS |
| Eltham | 8 | Mona | 0 |
| Calabar | 2 | St Catherine | 1 |
TODAY'S GAMES
(At the Spring Complex)Tivoli vs Charlie Smith at 1:00 p.m., Bridgeport vs Norman Manley at 3:00 p.m.
