KC crowned Clarendon champs

New champions were crowned in the Elite Clarendon Football Competition yesterday at Glenmuir High School, as Kingston College defeated Mona High in the final to walk away with the $500,000 first prize. Mona collected $250,000 for finishing second.

Both teams advanced to the final after winning their semi-final matches on penalties the previous day. Kingston College edged defending champions Glenmuir 4-3 in a shoot-out, while Mona got past Excelsior 5-4.

In yesterday’s final, Kingston College secured a convincing 3-1 victory. Rashawn Byfield scored twice, finding the net in the 14th and 22nd minutes, the latter from the penalty spot. Tyreke Robinson added the third goal in the 88th minute. Byfield was later named Player of the Match.

Mona’s lone goal came in the 18th minute from the penalty spot through captain Nathaniel McCarthy. Forced to play most of the match with 10 players after goalkeeper Cajay Fletcher was shown a red card in the 42nd minute, McCarthy took over goalkeeping duties. He was also named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player.

Defending champions Glenmuir finished third and pocketed $100,000 after edging Excelsior High 1-0.

Winning coach Jermaine Miller was pleased with his team’s success.

“It was a good win for the team, as the boys played to instructions. This is a good sign going into the schoolboy season because I saw what I wanted to see,” said Miller, the school’s head coach.

Losing coach Craig Butler blamed poor officiating for his team’s defeat.

“The referee handed the game to Kingston College. My goalkeeper was treated unfairly and was given a red card, and that affected the team from there on. Congratulations to Kingston College, they played well, but Mona have shown that they will be very competitive in the schoolboy season,” he said.

Raymond Graham@gleanerjm.com