STETHS edge Cornwall College in Ben Francis thriller
SANTA CRUZ, St Elizabeth — Six-time champions St Elizabeth Technical High School (STETHS) outscored seven-time winners Cornwall College 4-3 at the St Elizabeth Technical Sports Complex in Santa Cruz on Thursday to book their place in the semi-finals of the ISSA Ben Francis Cup competition.
Abena Wallace came off the bench to score the winner in time added on at the end of the second half in what was the second goal feast between the two schools after STETHS had won their daCosta Cup round-of-16 game 3-2 in Montego Bay.
Another former champion, 2006 winners Frome Technical, eliminated 2009 winners BB Coke High, winning 2-0 at Llandilo Sports Complex, while Happy Grove High and McGrath High booked their first semi-final spots after 1-0 wins over Christiana High and Manchester High, respectively.
At the STETHS Sports Complex, the home team took an early lead, but Cornwall College rallied to lead 2-1 before STETHS tied up the scores at 2-2 just before half-time.
Cornwall College retook the lead 3-2 early in the second half, but STETHS hit back with two goals to snatch the victory.
Najay Brown gave STETHS the lead in the eighth minute, but Cornwall College levelled in the 11th 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.
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 with the same scoreline.
Thursday’s Results
•STETHS 4, Cornwall College 3
•Happy Grove High 1, Christiana High 0
•Frome Tech 2, BB Coke 0
•McGrath High 1, Manchester High 0