ST ELIZABETH, Jamaica — Garvey Maceo High and Cornwall College are the first finalists in the ISSA Rural Area Under-14 and Under-16 football competitions, respectively, after wins at the St Elizabeth Technical High School (STETHS) sports complex on Wednesday.

Garvey Maceo beat Cornwall College’s Under-14 team while Cornwall College’s Under-16 team beat Rusea’s High to advance to their respective competitions.

Garvey Maceo booked their spot in the Burger King Under-14 after beating Cornwall College 7-6 on sudden death penalties after equalising in time added in the second half to force penalties with a 2-2 draw

The Under-14 teams were tied 1-1 at halftime after Kerick Clarke gave Garvey Maceo the lead in the 35th minute, on the cusp of halftime, but Cornwall College shot back almost immediately, a minute into time added, with a goal from Shani Stephens.

Cornwall College took the lead in the 65th minute when Jayden Smith scored after a quick counterattack, but as time ran out, Tijuan Peters scored in the 70th minute for Garvey Maceo.

The teams were tied at 4-4 after regulation penalties before Garvey Maceo scored their next three in sudden death before Cornwall missed on their seventh kick.

Conversely, Mekhi Foster scored a double as Cornwall College romped to a 4-1 win over Rusea’s High in the Mighty Malt Under-16 game.

In that game, Cornwall College dominated, taking an early lead when Jared Sargeant scored in the third minute before Xavier Bourne equalised from close range in the 36th minute.

Kemoy Brown restored Cornwall College’s lead when he scored on the brink of halftime before Foster scored in the 56th and 80th minutes to seal the win.

The other finalists will be decided on Thursday at Glenmuir High with William Knibb Memorial taking on Belair High in the Under-14 game and Clarendon College and Glenmuir High in the Under-16 game.

The finals will be played at STETHS on Thursday, March 12th.

— Paul A Reid