OCHO Rios High surged into the quarter-finals of the ISSA/Wata daCosta Cup football competition in a dramatic 2-2 draw with Dinthill Technical in their round-of-16 game played at Drax Hall on Saturday, edging the former two-time champions on goal difference.

Both Ocho Rios High and Dinthill Technical went into the game tied on three points from their first two games, but Ocho Rios High led on goal difference and needed at least a draw to join early qualifiers Glenmuir High as the qualifiers from Zone 3.

Keanu Reid scored both goals for Ocho Rios High, including one in time added in the second half, as they ended Dinthill Technical’s decade-plus-long stretch of at least getting to the quarter-finals, joining three other teams to complete the qualification.

Former champions St Elizabeth Technical High (STETHS) and Garvey Maceo both won their games and advanced from Zone 1, while Frome Technical joined Munro College from Zone 2 after the two teams played out a dismal 0-0 draw at Llandilo Sports Complex.

Central High topped Zone 4 by beating fellow qualifiers McGrath High 2-1 in their game played at Foga Road High.

Two-time defending champions Clarendon College were also eliminated from contention when they were beaten 2-1 by Cornwall College at Glenmuir High.

Ocho Rios High Team Manager Eyan Kean said despite trailing Dinthill Technical 2-0 at half-time, they were not worried as they knew they had what it took to get back in the game.

“We put ourselves in the position by not taking our chances, and the boys were capable of getting us out,” he said. “Dinthill Technical had nothing over us and it was just up to us to do what we had to do.”

Tyrese Gowe and Raheem Harris had given Dinthill Technical what appeared to be a comfortable lead but Reid pulled a goal back in the second half before his dramatic rescue act in time added.

STETHS beat Kemps Hill High 2-0 at Wembley Centre of Excellence to top Zone 1 with seven points while Garvey Maceo rolled over Alphansus Davis High 4-0 at Brooks Park, with Malik Robinson scoring twice as they ended with five points.

It was a tough end to the daCosta Cup campaign for Kemps Hill who could have been the first team to book a quarter-final spot after beating Alphansus Davis but were held to a 0-0 draw by Garvey Maceo midweek.

Saturday’s results:

Alphansus Davis 0, Garvey Maceo 4

Kemps Hill High 0, STETHS 2

Clarendon College 1, Cornwall College 2

Frome Technical 0, Munro College 0

Ocho Rios High 2, Dinthill Technical 0

Happy Grove High 0, Glenmuir High 1

Manchester High 2, Denbigh High 2

Central High 2, McGrath High 1