LUCEA, Hanover – Minnows McGrath High scored a surprise 1-0 win over former champions Rusea’s High in their ISSA/Wata daCosta Cup first-leg second-round game at Collin Miller Sports Complex on a day when the underdogs barked loudly, winning five of eight games.

McGrath, who were qualifying for the second round for the first time since 2005, took the lead inside the first minute and held on for a big win.

Another big surprise came when number 28th ranked Happy Grove handed fifth ranked Annotto Bay High their first loss of the season, winning 2-1 at Carder Park.

Lennon High, Cedric Titus and Ocho Rios also took important-first-leg leads away from home.

Today, defending champions Clarendon College, the top-ranked rural area school, will seek to avoid a ‘banana skin’ when they travel to Montego Bay to face 32nd-ranked Green Pond High in the second game of a double-header at Cornwall College, set to start at 4:00 pm.

Cornwall College and long-time rivals Munro College will renew acquaintances in the second game at the St Elizabeth Technical Sports Complex, while high-flying Manchester High will be away at the Golden Grove field against St Thomas Technical. Petersfield High and William Knibb Memorial will meet in a western derby at Frome.

Yesterday’s game in Lucea started in heavy rain and the visitors wasted no time as Javaun Reid slammed a cross from the right flank with just 27 seconds gone in the game, beating Rusea’s goalkeeper Chadwick Campbell.

Rusea’s, who were knocked out of the competition at this stage last season, were unlucky, hitting the woodwork on at least four occasions during the game. Agonisingly for them, they failed to get past the well-organised McGrath High defence.

Happy Grove took a 2-0 lead in the first 15 minutes with goals from Shavir Hamilton and Tevionne Miller, while Rasheed Dennis pulled one back for Annotto Bay in time added at the end of the first half.

Lennon High, ranked 21st, got by number 12 ranked BB Coke 2-1 with goals from Tyrique Harrison and Kyla Williams in the second game of a double-header at Juici Field.

Shannon Blake scored a double for number 25th-ranked Cedric Titus as they blanked eight-ranked Seaforth High 2-0 at Elleston Wakeland.

Shamar Reddie’s goal was enough for 24th-ranked Ocho Rios High to hand number nine ranked Mannings School their first loss of the season at Drax Hall.

Former champions St Elizabeth Technical beat Brimmervale High 5-1 with Kristoff Murray scoring twice with Mushtaq Christopher, Michael German and an own goal accounting for the other goals.

Today, Clarendon College, who have won their last five games after being held 1-1 by Lennon in the opening game, face a dangerous Green Pond team.

Green Pond booked their spot via the best third place route and will be hoping to make a point, playing in familiar conditions in front of what will be a virtual home crowd.

Clarendon College could have the services of midfielder Lamar Walker who scored for the Reggae Boyz in a Concacaf Nations League win over Aruba on Tuesday night. If he plays it could make the difference.

Yesterday’s results

Denbigh 0, Port Antonio 0

Lennon 2, BB Coke 1

Brimmervale 1, STETHS 5

Happy Grove 2, Annotto Bay 1

Cedric Titus 2, Seaforth 0

Ocho Rios 1, Mannings 0

Spalding 1, Garvey Maceo 2

Rusea’s 0, McGrath 1

Today’s games

2:00 pm – Anchovy vs Alston @ Cornwall College

4:00 pm – Green Pond vs Clarendon @ Cornwall College

2:00 pm – Maggotty vs Oracabessa @ STETHS

4:00 pm – Munro vs Cornwall @ STETHS

1:00pm – Central vs Dinthill @ Juici Field

3:00pm – Vere vs Frome @ Juici Field

3:00 pm – St Thomas Technical vs Manchester @ Golden Grove

3:00 pm – Petersfield vs William Knibb Memorial @ Frome Complex