Ferncourt make their way into daCosta Cup round of 32

YORK CASTLE were inches away from making it into the round of 32 despite a 4-1 defeat against Zone K leaders Ocho Rios High in their ISSA daCosta Cup clash at Drax Hall Sports Complex in St Ann yesterday.

Robert Morris got two quick goals, scoring in the third and sixth minutes, to put York Castle, who had started the day in second place on 19 points, three ahead of Ferncourt.

Despite going down by two goals, there was no reason to panic since a game between Ferncourt and Brown’s Town looked headed for a draw.

Even when York Castle goalkeeper Tyrese Wisdom ended up in the emergency room minutes after a collison with Ocho Rios’s Roshane Malcolm left him with a head injury, they were still in it.

Ocho Rios’ head coach Veron Peterkin was issued two cautions before halftime, but his early exit did nothing to stop York Castle’s haemmorhage.

Possibly even more unfortunate than Wisdom was Shakeil Campbell, who, after pulling one back in the 56th minute, cancelled his effort with a time-added own goal.

As if recognising that the gig was up, York Castle seemed unresponsive as Ocho Rios’s Kaniel Brown, still in stoppage time, cemented the win.

The result means that Ocho Rios end on 28 points, finishing ahead of York Castle and Ferncourt on 19. Ferncourt’s 1-0 win over Brown’s Town left them with a +13 goal difference, well above the +2 York Castle were able to muster.

Brown’s Town ended fourth on 14 points.

Despite the win, Peterkin was not pleased with the officiating.

“I am not bashing the referee, but we are seeing our skill player was getting a lot of kicks, and no fouls were called,” said Peterkin.

“However, when we touched their players, it was an immediate call. We already qualified, so were trying to play safe and see through the game,” Peterkin added.

Meanwhile, York Castle’s coach, Garfield Reid, said his team had shown much improvement this season.

“If you look at last year, coming into the season, we were at the bottom of the table. So to be here fighting for a second-round spot, that by itself is an improvement,” said Reid.

He added, “They showed their fighting spirit today, and that is all we are asking for from last year, and now we are getting it.”

In St Elizabeth, Maggotty advanced to the second round with a 0-0 draw with Lacovia. Both are tied on 11 points, with Magotty ahead on goal difference.

Yesterday’s Results

Ocho Rios 4-1 York Castle

Brown’s Town 0-1 Ferncourt

Yallahs 5-0 Fair Prospect

Paul Bogle 2-2 Morant Bay

St Mary Tech 2-1 Iona

Port Antonio 0-2 St. Mary High

Horace Clarke 0-2 Titchfield

STETHS 3-0 BB Coke

Lacovia 0-0 Maggotty

Christiana 1-0 Alphansus Davis

Holmwood 0-4 Knox College

Charlemont PPD Dinthill