SPANISH TOWN, Jamaica — Tempers erupted and tensions spilled over in one of the most dramatic match days yet in the ISSA schoolboy football tournament, as Mona High’s shock defeat to Eltham High was overshadowed by a volatile post-match confrontation involving coach Craig Butler.
The high-stakes clash at the Spanish Town Prison Oval ended 1-0 in Eltham’s favor, sparking outrage from Butler, who stormed toward the referee in protest at the final whistle. Security personnel were forced to intervene as Butler, visibly irate, confronted the official over what he claimed was “one-sided officiating” and “blatant bias.” He was eventually shown a red card after being physically restrained.
Butler’s fury stemmed from multiple refereeing decisions he claimed unfairly disadvantaged Mona. “He ignored five penalties, gave them a goal from a foul, and somehow managed to blow the whistle five minutes early,” Butler fumed after the match.
The match official, reportedly a recent Jamaica College graduate, became the focal point of Butler’s ire. “How do you send a JC old boy to officiate a game where JC’s progress depends on Mona losing? That’s beyond irresponsible,” he charged.
The defeat leaves Mona in a precarious position, slipping to third in Group 4 with three points. JC and Eltham now sit above them with four points apiece, and with only one round left, Mona’s path to the quarterfinals is on thin ice. Wednesday’s face-off between Mona and JC is shaping up to be a do-or-die encounter. Meanwhile, Eltham will look to solidify their position against bottom-ranked St Jago.
Elsewhere, Tournament Shockwaves Continue
Former powerhouses Wolmer’s Boys’ and St George’s College were both dumped out of the tournament in stunning upsets. St George’s were battered 3-1 by an inspired Vauxhall High side, who now sit atop Group 3 with four points. St George’s, pointless after two games, are officially out.
In Group 1, Tivoli Gardens produced a clinical 2-0 win over Wolmer’s to leapfrog into third place. STATHS, meanwhile, continued their dominance, edging Excelsior 1-0 to punch their quarterfinal ticket with six points.
KC Roars Back with Byfield Hat-Trick
Reigning champions Kingston College (KC) bounced back with authority after their opening loss, hammering Campion College 3-0. The star of the night was none other than Deshawn Byfield, who netted a second-half hat-trick — his third of the season — taking his tally to 18 goals.
The prolific forward not only revived KC’s campaign but also secured a hefty bonus. Under KFC’s ongoing 50th anniversary celebration, the school will receive $50,000 for every Byfield hat-trick, while the player himself walks away with $10,000 in food vouchers.
KC now sits third in Group 2 with three points, behind Calabar and Hydel (both on four points), who battled to a 1-1 stalemate. With the standings this tight, KC’s upcoming clash with Calabar is a must-win. Hydel will aim to capitalize against a winless Campion College, already eliminated from contention.
The Stakes Couldn’t Be Higher
With a flurry of red cards, controversial officiating, and unexpected eliminations, the ISSA tournament is delivering fireworks — both on and off the pitch. As the final round of group games approaches, every pass, whistle, and goal could decide who survives and who goes home.
