Buff Bay, Portland — Jahmani Hamilton hit a three-timer as Port Antonio High continued their dominance over Titchfield High with a 4-1 win in the first ISSA/FLOW daCosta Cup game played under lights at eastern Jamaica’s Lynch Park on Saturday.

Hamilton was on target in the 18th, 72nd and 80th minutes, with Ramone Weir adding the other strike in the 32nd. Bevin McKenzie got the consolation for Titchfield in the 59th minute.

Winning coach Marlon Hylton was happy. “I have to commend the guys; they went out there and did a workmanlike job and I hope we can continue like this. They did a good job and we have to push on to top the zone now. Titchfield scored and got back into the game and I have to commend Jahmani Hamilton, he did a wonderful job with the hat trick. This is a good ground and we are happy playing here and hopefully we will play the return leg here,” he said.

Zone L chairman and principal of Titchfield High, Richard Thompson, was pleased with the support. “When I took the decision to make the proposal to the principal of Port Antonio High we figured that with the limited facilities in the parish Lynch Park would present a good opportunity for us although both schools are in Port Antonio. I consider this the best facility in the parish and think it was a good opportunity for persons to come out and enjoy a good evening of football and I am happy for the support and us making that decision. I suspect we will start looking at this as a possibility for other games.”

He said he was not sure what will happen with inter-zone games playing there at nights as he thinks it will be good for football in the parish.

Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) General Secretary Raymond Grant was on hand and was happy with what he saw. “I must commend both schools for taking up the opportunity for playing a night game here utilising the facilities here at Lynch Park in Buff Bay. This is possibly the biggest crowd that has watched a football game here at Lynch Park; the support is tremendous and I don’t think anybody can quarrel. The play here was good and what someone will drive miles to see, and some very good goals were scored and the spectators leaving are satisfied. This augurs well for youth development.”

Regarding schoolboys playing in the major league competitions, Grant said: “This discussion is actively taking place within the JFF, clubs and the Premier League Clubs Association and we will see where it goes from here.”

— Everard Owen