Adrian Frater, News Editor
WESTERN BUREAU:
CHAMPIONS GODFREY Stewart High ended Grange Hill's unbeaten run in Zone C of the 2006 ISSA/Pepsi/JN daCosta Cup yesterday when they clipped the zone leaders 1-0 in their game in Savanna-la-Mar, Westmoreland, to avenge their first-round defeat.
By virtue of their win, the Godfrey Stewart team, which scored from the penalty spot in the 14th minute through skipper Davion Thorpe, has now moved to third place in the group with 10 points, three less than second-placed Petersfield, who clipped Mannings 1-0 in the other Zone C game. Grange Hill (16) lead the standings with 16 points.
"We came here today knowing that only a win would be good enough to keep us in contention and the players gave it everything," said Carl Palmer, coach of the Godfrey Stewart team. "We will have to keep this momentum going if we are to advance."
STUNNING UPSET
In the surprise result of the day, Rusea's created a stunning upset when they ended Frome Technical's 100 per cent win record with a 2-0 victory courtesy of a double strike by national Under-17 player Domain Thompson. Frome still lead the group with 18 points, while Rusea's have moved up to a comfortable second with 13 points.
"We always knew the boys had it in them and it was just for them to deliver," said Rusea's coach, Anthony 'Follies' Williams. "We hope this win is the beginning of better things to come."
Over in Zone A, William Knibb became the first inter-zone qualifier from that group when they turned back St. James High 2-1 to move up to 16 points, which means they can only be caught by second-placed Herbert Morrison (11), who clipped Cornwall College 1-0 in their Montego Bay derby.
CORNWALL IN DANGER
Cornwall College (seven) are in danger of not advancing.
"Getting to the inter-zone was our first objective and we are delighted that we have made it," said Cassman Williams, the elated coach of William Knibb. "We will now be going back to the drawing board to start preparing for the next phase of the competition."
In Zone E, the red-hot leaders St. Elizabeth Technical High School (20), had their seven-game winning streak snapped when they were clipped 1-0 by second-placed Munro at Malvern.
By virtue of their win, Munro, who scored in the dying minutes of the game through skipper Andre Anderson, have moved up to 18 points, which keeps them in the hunt to top the zone.
Zone A: Herbert Morrison 1 Cornwall 0, William Knibb 2 St. James High 1.
Zone B: Rusea's 2 Frome 0.
Zone C: Petersfield 1 Mannings 0, Godfrey Stewart 1 Grange Hill 0.
Zone E: Munro 1 STETHS 0.
