Paul Bogle’s second-round push stalls again
SEAFORTH, St Thomas — Paul Bogle High’s qualification to the second roud of the ISSA daCosta Cup football competition has been held up for a second-straight game after they were edged 1-0 by Seaforth High in their Zone L return-round game on Thursday.
Paul Bogle High, who still lead Zone L with 18 points, had won their first six games and needed just one more point to secure qualification to the second round, but has lost back-to-back games and must wait until at least Monday to get another chance to return to the second round for the first time since 2018.
To add insult to injury, Thursday’s goal was self-inflicted, an own goal, when a 0-0 draw would have seen them safely through.
Meanwhile, Seaforth High, who had lost 3-1 to Paul Bogle in the first round, took over second place on 15 points, three behind the leaders, while Yallahs High are in third place on 14 points after drawing 0-0 with Morant Bay High.
St Thomas Technical won consecutive games, hammering Robert Lightbourne High 12-1.
Mile Gully High and Alphansus Davis High remained in contention in Zone G after wins over Christiana High and Alston High, respectively, in rescheduled first-round games.
Mile Gully beat Christiana High 1-0 to move past them into second place on nine points, one more than the losers who slipped to third place while Alphansus Davis were 5-1 winners over Alston High.
York Castle High extended their lead in Zone I after completing their interupted game against Marcus Garvey Technical at Mt Pleasant Academy, improving to 16 points.
York Castle had led the game 1-0 on September 27 before the officials called off the game due to lightning and then added three more goals on Thursday.
York Castle lead Zone I by seven points and will confirm their place in the second round today after second-place Oracabessa High play third place Browns Town.
Whatever the result, York Castle will advance and could top the zone if the game ends in a draw or Browns Town win.
Also, today, Dinthill Technical needs only a point from their game against out-of-contention Guy’s Hill High to win Zone K, or if second-placed McGrath High fail to beat Enid Bennett in their first-round second-leg clash.
McGrath High and third-placed Charlemont High, who play Ewarton High, separated by three points, are locked in a battle for the other automatic qualifying spot.
In Zone M, former champions Glenmuir High will be going after a fourth-straight win when they take on last-placed Tacius Golding in a rescheduled first-round game.
Zone leaders Central High faces third-placed Old Harbour in a game that will be crucial to both of their hopes of advancing as the winner will get an advantage.
— Paul Reid