Former champs STETHS and Frome book Ben Francis semis spots
ST ELIZABETH, Jamaica — Former champions St Elizabeth Technical High School (STETHS) and Frome Technical lead the qualifiers for the semi-finals of the ISSA Ben Francis Cup competition after wins over former winners Cornwall College and BB Coke High respectively in their quarter-final games on Thursday.
STETHS outscored Cornwall College 4-3 at the STETHS Sports Complex, the second time this season the schools were involved in a high-scoring game, while Frome Tech were 2-0 winners over BB Coke at the Llandilo Sports Complex in Westmoreland.
Meanwhile, Happy Grove High and McGrath High booked their first semi-final spots after 1-0 wins over Christiana High and Manchester High respectively, also on Thursday.
In Santa Cruz, Abena Wallace came off the bench to score the winner in time added on at the end of the second half for STETHS, who had won their daCosta Cup Round of 16 game 3-2 in Montego Bay, last month.
Najay Brown had given STETHS the lead in the eighth minute but Cornwall College leveled in the 11 th minute when Deshaun Talbert converted from the penalty spot before Dane Buckley gave them the lead in the 26th minute.
Shemar Stewart pulled STETHS level at 2-2 in the 38th minute. Deshawn Evans restored Cornwall College’s lead in the 48th minute but STETHS pulled level again in the 57th minute when Nicardo Smith scored from a corner and Wallace grabbed the winner two minutes into time added on.
At Llandilo, Stevaugn Spence scored a brace for Frome Technical to end BB Coke’s season and took his team a step closer to a second hold on the trophy.
Happy Grove High booked their spot in the last four, thanks to Shevon Miller’s 18th minute penalty against Christiana High at Carder Park, while McGrath High also got by Manchester High by the same scoreline.
Results from Thursday’s games:
STETHS 4, Cornwall College- 3
Happy Grove High 1, Christiana High-0
Frome Tech 2, BB Coke-0
McGrath High 1, Manchester High-0
-Paul A Reid