STETHS, Glenmuir for Ben Francis final
CLARENDON PARK, Clarendon — St Elizabeth Technical High School (STETHS) remain on course to add more glass to their already impressive record of four successive ISSA/LIME Ben Francis Cup titles after topping Clarendon College in a thrilling penalty shoot-out in semi-final action yesterday at Juici Park.
The Omar Wedderburn-coached side edged Clarendon 6-5 in a keenly contested shoot-out, with Clarendon College substitute Ryan Knight being the only one of 12 kickers to miss from the spot, after the teams had played out a 0-0 scoreline in full and extra-time.
STETHS, holders of the rural area double, will now meet another Clarendon side, Glenmuir High, in the final. The Warren Simpson-conditioned Glenmuir got by Dinthill Technical 2-0 in their semi-final at the Jamalco Sports Club in Hayes, Clarendon — courtesy of second-half goals from Ricardo Dennis and Garcio Williams.
Even while looking ahead to a fifth straight hold on the knockout trophy, STETHS’ Wedderburn described the semi-final victory as a “championship performance” from his players.
“It was a big game, between two good teams, but the players kept their nerves and delivered a championship performance,” said Wedderburn.
And while he did admit that they should have won the game in regulation, following missed chances from the usually reliable Donjay Smith and Akito Graham on either side of half-time, Wedderburn said winning on penalties was just as thrilling.
“It is a good feeling,” he said. “We practised penalties all week because we knew that a game like this could come down to it.”
Looking forward to the final against a Glenmuir side that upset STETHS in the 2012 daCosta Cup final, Wedderburn said they are “expecting another tough encounter”.