MAY PEN, Clarendon – Clarendon College’s hopes of clinching a third consecutive ISSA/Wata daCosta Cup title were dashed on Saturday as they suffered a 2-1 defeat to Cornwall College at Glenmuir High. This loss left the former champions at the bottom of their Round of 16 group, concluding a challenging season that saw them secure only one victory in six outings.
Cornwall College opened the scoring with a penalty kick from Deshaun Talbert in the 32nd minute, followed by a second goal from Dante Escoffrey just before halftime in the 43rd minute. Despite a late goal from Nicholy Forbes in the 73rd minute, the damage had already been done for Clarendon, who previously dominated the tournament with four championships in the last five years, including a double title win last season.
As the round progressed, Munro College and Frome Technical both secured their places in the quarterfinals after a lackluster 0-0 draw at Llandilo Community Centre, marking an anticlimactic end to their group stage performances.
Ocho Rios High also emerged from Zone 3 after a thrilling 2-2 draw against Dinthill Technical at Drax Hall, managing to advance based on goal difference. Keanu Reid was the star for Ocho Rios, netting a brace, including a last-gasp equalizer during injury time that denied Dinthill Technical their chance at advancement, marking the end of their impressive decade-long run in the quarterfinals.
In Zone 1, St. Elizabeth Technical High (STETHS) secured the top spot with a solid 2-0 victory over Kemps Hill High at the Wembley Centre of Excellence, while Garvey Maceo cruised past Alphansus Davis High with a commanding 4-0 win, bolstered by a double from Malik Robinson.
Frome Technical’s encounter with Munro College was characterized by a lack of urgency, as both teams opted for a more conservative approach, knowing their qualification was already secured. The game saw minimal action, ending in a forgettable stalemate.
Glenmuir High rounded off their group stage with an impeccable record, winning all three matches without conceding a goal. They clinched their latest victory against a ten-man Happy Grove High, thanks to an early strike from Oraine Watson in the 10th minute. Happy Grove faced a setback when their top scorer, Bonny Chisholm, was sent off in the 80th minute due to a reckless challenge.
Central High also progressed from Zone 4, edging past McGrath High with a 2-1 victory in a closely contested match at Foga Road High.
With the quarterfinals on the horizon, the competition intensifies as teams vie for a shot at the coveted daCosta Cup title.
