Tacky High qualifies for first daCosta Cup quarter-finals
KINGSTON, Jamaica – Tacky High qualified for the quarter-finals of the ISSA/Wata daCosta Cup football competition for the first time in the St Mary school’s history after they beat Cedric Titus 4-2 in their second-round return leg game played at Drax Hall on Wednesday.
After playing out a 0-0 draw in their first leg on Saturday, Nijae Pottinger scored a double on Wednesday, while Romario Gibbs and Deandre Jackson, also scored in their historic triumph.
Both teams ended the game short as two players were sent off for Cedric Titus and one for Tacky High.
Tacky High were joined by several schools, who had missed out in their last few years, including Port Antonio High, who advanced ahead of Manning’s School after they were tied 2-2 on aggregate after the games.
Mile Gully returned for the first time since 2018 to beat Belair High, while Happy Grove, who beat Ocho Rios, were also returning for the first time since 2019.
Meanwhile, three of last season’s four semi-finalists were sent crashing out. Last season’s beaten finalists Central High, 2021 Ben Francis KO champions Edwin Allen High and back- to -back semi-finalists Manning’s School all failed to qualify for the quarter-finals, which are set to start on Saturday.
William Knibb Memorial edged Central High 1-0 in their game played at Glenmuir High; McGrath High knocked out Edwin Allen after winning 3-1 on Wednesday for a 4-1 aggregate, while Port Antonio High advanced ahead of Manning’s on a tie-breaker after they finished tied at 2-2 after Manning’s won Wednesday’s game 2-1.
Port Antonio advanced on away goals.
Defending champions Clarendon College led the other qualifiers that included former winners, Dinthill Technical, Garvey Maceo High, Cornwall College and Frome Technical as well as Mile Gully High, Happy Grove, Tacky High, William Knibb Memorial, Manchester High and Christiana High.
Results from Wednesday’s games:
Mile Gully High 2, Belair High 1 (3-2)
Happy Grove High 2, Ocho Rios High-2 (4-3)
Dinthill Tech 7, Horace Clarke High 0 (9-0)
Cedric Titus High 2, Tacky High-4 (2-4)
Edwin Allen High 1, McGrath High 3 (1-4)
Clarendon College 4, deCarteret College 1 (12-1)
Central High 0, William Knibb Memorial- 1 (0-1)
Garvey Maceo High 9, St Mary High-0 (16-0)
Cornwall College 0, Black River 1 (3-2)
Frome Tech 4, Vere Tech-0 (8-1)
Manning’s School 2, Port Antonio High-1 (2-2) Port Antonio advance
Manchester High 2, Munro College 1 (3-1)
Rusea’s High 0, Christiana High 0 (0-3)