Garvey Maceo, Cornwall through to U14, U16 finals

Garvey Maceo and Cornwall College are through to the Burger King/ISSA Under-14 and Under-16 competitions finals after contrasting victories at the St Elizabeth Technical High School Sports Complex yesterday.

In the opening match, Garvey Maceo’s U14s edged Cornwall College 7-6 on penalties after a thrilling 2-2 draw in regulation time. Both teams were flawless, forcing sudden death, where goalkeeper Najai Wright emerged as the hero with two crucial saves to seal the win.

Garvey Maceo’s coach Lester Hibbert described the game as intense, as the boys followed simple instructions and demonstrated determination, ultimately winning.

“The boys stick to simple instructions. They wanted this game today and said, ‘Coach, don’t worry, we are gonna win this game for you.’ They came out and represented the Garvey Maceo family and are victorious,” said Hibbert.

The U16 encounter was not as close, with Cornwall College securing a 4-1 win over Rusea’s High School to cruise into the finals, keeping their unbeaten record intact.

Cornwall’s coach Tevin Applewhaite emphasised the importance of executing their plans and noted that many players were motivated by their daCosta Cup experience.

“Most of these boys are coming down from the d’Cup, so you know that they came with a vibe. Knowing we didn’t go far in the d’Cup, wanted to go to the final, they are hungry for the under-16,” said Applewhaite.

“I know that we against Rusea’s is always a rivalry, but we had something planned coming into the game. We just come out and executed what we had to,” added Applewhaite.

In a one-sided, 80-minute encounter, Cornwall struck first through Jared Sergeant in the third minute. Rusea’s responded when Shemar Daley found the equaliser in the 36th. However, that was as close as Rusea’s would get, as Cornwall came roaring back in added time to go into the half-time break ahead.

Despite the loss, Rusea’s coach Locksley Reid was optimistic.

“Well, it is a work in progress. We weren’t playing [just] for a win, but also to develop. We have to just move on to the next season and come better,” said Reid.

In the earlier U14 semi-final, Kerick Clarke broke the deadlock in the 35th minute for Garvey Maceo, but Cornwall College’s Shani Stephens levelled a minute later. In the 65th minute, Jayden Smith took the lead for Cornwall College. But Garvey Maceo’s Tijuan Peters equalised, pushing the game into penalties.

The teams will know their opponents in the final tomorrow.

Garvey Maceo will wait on the result from William Knibb vs Belair High, while Cornwall will do the same when Clarendon College and Glenmuir High face off.