Happy Grove suprise Annotto Bay 2-1
PORT ANTONIO, Portland — Happy Grove High brought an end to Annotto Bay’s unbeaten run with a 2-1 scoreline in their first-leg ISSA/WATA daCosta Cup second-round contest at Carder Park on Wednesday.
Shavir Hamilton, in the 12th minute, and Tevonne Miller’s 15th-minute strike, handed the 28th-ranked Happy Grove a surprise victory, while sending fifth-ranked Annotto Bay High to their first defeat of the season. Rasheed Dennis, in the second minute of first-half stoppage time, got the goal for Annotto Bay.
Happy Grove were the more purposeful at the start, as the attacking trio of Keneil Beckford, Alex Afflick and Miller went at their unsettled Annotto Bay opponents.
They inevitably broke the deadlock when Miller’s free kick from the left flank picked out an unmarked Hamilton, who controlled and fired over the head of the advancing Armoni Jones in goal for Annotto Bay.
Miller doubled the lead three minutes later, arriving on the end of a left-sided cross from Alex Afflick to fire home from close range.
After being hit twice, Annotto Bay eventually found their footing and pulled one back in the latter stages of the first half through Dennis to keep things interesting.
However, there was very little to write home about on the resumption, despite both teams creating their fair share of chances but failing to convert.
Winning Coach Vincent Wallace was elated by his team’s performance in upsetting the proverbial applecart.
“We played according to the game plan and maintained our composure and got the three points. We will have to work on our finishing to improve our performance in order to progress in the competition, but we are happy for the win because this Annotto Bay team has some talent,” Wallace noted.
His counterpart Trace McKenzie rued the errors which cost them dearly.
“We made two goalkeeping errors and it cost us the game. But credit to Happy Grove, they came ready, were quick on the ball and got the required result. We are hoping that we will be able to recuperate from this and get back in the competition,” McKenzie reasoned.
