Clarendon oust defending champs Cornwall
CLARENDON College put themselves in pole position to capture this year’s Inter-Secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA) Champions Cup after ousting defending champions Cornwall College with a 3-0 scoreline in a lopsided semi-final contest at National Stadium yesterday.
A brace from Roderick Granville, in the 53rd and 68th minutes, and one from Tajay Williams in the 89th, saw the Chapleton-based Clarendon College to their first Champions Cup final. It’s their second final this season, having already secured a spot in the daCosta Cup showpiece.
Clarendon will meet the winner of the Jamaica College/Kingston College contest, which the latter led 1-0 at press time.
Much excitement and fanfare surrounded the Clarendon versus Cornwall contest, which was a repeat of last year’s daCosta Cup final, but the expected level of competition did not materialise.
It was clear from the off that Clarendon College, who won last year’s daCosta Cup final meeting 2-1, would again prove to be a cut above their opponents.
They dominated the possession and created a plethora of chances in their hunt for the opening goal, as they forced their opponents back into their half, but were wasteful in the final third, resulting in a goalless first half.
Cornwall played their part in the contest, springing a few half openings on the counter, but nothing to really cause Clarendon College’s defence any real problems.
However, Clarendon College were quick again out the blocks on the resumption, and inevitably found the go-ahead goal eight minutes in.
A long throw into the box from the left side eluded defenders and fell nicely for Granville, who made no mistake from close range.
From there they asserted their authority and it came as no surprise when Granville doubled his and his team’s tally with a calm finish from deep inside the 18-yard box, after he broke free down the right channel and darted inside the danger area.
Though showing little signs of life in the attacking front, Cornwall College were brave in defence. They weathered the storm until a minute from time when Williams tailed in well to finish off a good build up and seal the win.
