Short-handed St James start well

St James High School coach Brian Stone described his team’s 1-0 victory over Muschett High as a tactical success despite being severely shorthanded in their opening ISSA daCosta Cup preliminary-round match at Jarrett Park yesterday.

The former champions made a winning start to their campaign courtesy of a 69th-minute strike from Davano Brown, while handing Muschett a second consecutive defeat.

“To God be the praises. It’s a good win. The three points is always a good start. Depending on the new format, there are no returns, so if you can get a good start and maximum points from the first game, that’s supposed to set us on the way,” Stone said, noting that his team executed the game plan well.

Stone revealed that the squad was without five to six first-team players.

“We are without five of our first-team players, but still, we utilised our plans. We just have to put this game behind us, go back to the drawing board, and get ourselves focused for the next game ahead, which should be even harder.”

In an entertaining contest, Brown curled home the decisive goal in the 69th minute after capitalising on a defensive error.

The result lifted St James High into third place, level on points with second-place Irwin High, who hold the edge on goal difference. Herbert Morrison High lead the zone on four points.

Meanwhile, Muschett coach David Swaby said his team performed well down the flanks in the first half but failed to make the most of several scoring opportunities.

“It was a game of two halves for us in terms of getting a lot of chances in the first half. We really didn’t capitalise. We were playing well through the flanks, but going into the second half, that’s where we think we got a little bit complacent,” said Swaby.

“We got a little bit too relaxed, so I think that is where we made a mistake, and it led up to the goalkeeper making an error, and that’s what cost us the game,” added Swaby.

The home team pressed throughout in search of a breakthrough, but Muschett’s defensive resistance eventually gave way as St James found the winning moment.

In another match, Clarendon-based Denbigh High hammered Kellits High 10-0.

In St Ann, Ferncourt maintained their perfect start with a comfortable 9-0 victory over newcomers Walkerswood Academy at Drax Hall.

A total of 29 goals have been scored against Walkerswood in their first two matches as the team continues to struggle in the preliminary round.

St Catherine-based Vere Technical had little trouble brushing aside Cross Keys 6-1.

In St Elizabeth, B.B. Coke remained perfect, registering a 3-0 victory over Lewisville High to stay atop Zone B on six points.

The ISSA daCosta Cup resumes on Wednesday with matches across the island.

Yesterday’s Results

B.B. Coke 3-0 Lewisville

St James 1-0 Muschett

Ferncourt 9-0 Walkerswood

Browns Town 5-0 Marcus Garvey

Herbert Morrison 1-1 Spot Valley

Little London 1-2 Green Island

Porus 1-0 Winston Jones

Vere Technical 6-1 Cross Keys

Bellfield High 2-2 Mile Gully

May Day High 2-2 Foga Road

Kellits High 0-10 Denbigh High

Central High 1-0 Lennon

Charlemont High 3-0 Tacius Golding

Tacky High 1-2 Titchfield High

Iona High 2-2 Horace Clarke