In a surprising turn of events, Clarendon College (CC) has secured its place in the Round of 32 of the ISSA/Wata daCosta Cup, even after facing an unexpected setback with two losses in the opening round. This marks the first time in over ten years that the champions have lost two games in a row but demonstrates their resilience in maintaining a competitive edge.
A total of seven schools have confirmed their progression to the next stage, including the debutants Maldon High from Zone A, as well as former champions Frome Technical and Rusea’s High from Zone B. St Elizabeth Technical from Zone E, along with Denbigh High and Central High, have also clinched their spots. With this latest development, 30 of the 32 available positions have now been filled, with the final two expected to be decided on Monday.
Denbigh High made headlines on Saturday by overcoming Clarendon College 2-1, marking their first victory against the storied program since 2013. This victory allowed Denbigh, along with Central High—who triumphed over Lennon High 3-2—to advance from Zone H. Central High leads the zone with 19 points, while Clarendon follows closely with 18 points and Denbigh sits at 16, with one more match set to take place on Monday.
In a thrilling encounter, Maldon High managed to secure a dramatic 1-1 draw against Green Pond High during their Zone A clash at the Granville Community Centre. Despite being down 1-0 thanks to a late goal from Green Pond in the 85th minute, Maldon’s Domonique Clarke found the net in the dying seconds, ensuring a valuable point for his team, which ended the round with both teams tied on 19 points but Maldon advancing due to superior goal difference.
Frome Technical showcased their attacking prowess, with Stevaughn Spence netting a stunning hat trick in the final minutes of their 3-0 victory against Anchovy High, bringing their point total to 23 in Zone B. Rusea’s High followed suit with a narrow 1-0 win over Green Island High, putting them at 20 points, with both teams still having a game left to play.
St Elizabeth Technical High School (STETHS) concluded their zone matches with an impressive 2-1 victory over Munro College, who finished at the top of Zone E with 21 points. STETHS secured second place with 18 points, ensuring their passage to the next round.
Glenmuir High, who had earlier been strong contenders with an unblemished record, faced a setback with a 2-1 loss to Garvey Maceo High, marking the first time in over two seasons they had suffered consecutive defeats.
In a standout performance, Mannings School finished the first round as the only team with a perfect record, sealing their eighth consecutive victory with a dominant 6-0 win over Grange Hill High. Gregory Phillips was the star of the match, scoring four goals, while Keandre Ellis and Zachry Clarke added to the scoreline.
With the competition heating up and only two spots remaining for the next round, the excitement for the upcoming matches is palpable as schools gear up for what promises to be an exhilarating continuation of the daCosta Cup.
