CLARENDON College Head Coach Lenworth Hyde was impressed with his team after a tough 3-1 win over St George’s College (STGC) to book their spot in the semi-finals of the ISSA Champions Cup on Tuesday at National Stadium.

STGC drew first blood in the eighth minute, thanks to a well-taken header from Jindu Powell. The lead, however, didn’t last long as Justin Hayle’s tap-in drew CC level in the 12th minute. Both teams created a number of chances after but it was Keheim Dixon who found a critical goal for Clarendon College in the 83rd minute.

In STGC’s quest for an equaliser, substitute Tedane Williams made the win safe for CC with the last kick of the game.

Hyde credited his team for withstanding the pressure.

“We expected this game for George’s. When you get leggy you let the brain work. We didn’t lose our composure because I told them that, ‘In the game George’s will have their moments. How will you handle it?’

“I think we handled it well when we were down and got 5-6 corners consecutively. We stood our ground and defended stoutheartedly and we got the break; we made use of the opportunities. That’s a disciplined performance from my team,” said Hyde. Meanwhile, head coach of Kingston College (KC) Vassell Reynolds hailed his team’s fighting spirit after making the last four with a come-from-behind 3-2 win over Dinthill Technical, also at National Stadium.

“We continue to battle on. These boys have been exhibiting the sort of fighting spirit from the start of the competition and today was no less. We went down one nil 30 seconds in the game. It took a little bit of time to work out what we needed to do, maybe about 25 minutes, but once we got that right tactically, we got it right,” he said.

The two-time champions were stunned within the opening minute of the game as Tyrese Gowe put Dinthill ahead.

However, the North Street-based boys eventually found their feet and were awarded a penalty which Captain Robert Seow converted shortly after the half-hour mark.

The two-time champions ended the first half with a flurry as Jaheim McLean in the 44th and a second penalty from Seow gave them a 3-1 lead. Dinthill made life interesting in the second half through a 68th-minute strike from Giovanni Afflick but KC held on for the victory, much to the satisfaction of Reynolds.

Hydel’s shot at a rare double continues after their 4-2 win over Garvey Maceo while Glenmuir edged Mona 1-0 to secure a semi-final spot.

The semi-finals are set for next Tuesday at National Stadium as Glenmuir battle Kingston College and Clarendon College tackle Hydel.

All eight teams from the Champions Cup turn their attention to the Manning and daCosta Cup tournaments, set for this Friday and Saturday, respectively.