Cornwall give themselves a chance

A BRACE from Carlondo Morris and a powerful strike from Shakeem Gibson made all the difference as Cornwall College eased by William Knibb 4–0 to strengthen their push for an ISSA daCosta Cup quarter-final spot during their round-of-16 match yesterday at the Drax Hall Sports Complex in St Ann.

Zone One’s Cornwall will face an unbeaten Christiana High School on Tuesday, with a spot in the quarter-final on the line. Both are tied with three points, with Cornwall leading by a goal difference.

Gibson scored in the 42nd minute, before the school’s leading goalscorer, Morris, doubled in the 53rd. Morris completed the brace in the 58th minute. Making things worse, William Knibb’s Kaheel Campbell scored an own goal to further shatter their dreams.

While Cornwall were deserved winners, William Knibb may also have themselves to blame for wasting clear-cut chances, especially in the first half.

At half-time, with the score at 1-0, Cornwall coach Hector Wright was evidently not satisfied with the team’s performance.

“We not going to get the win like that. You have to want it and show that you want it. With this style of play, you won’t get it like that,” said Wright.

The pep talk worked wonders as the many-time champions Cornwall went into top form.

According to Wright, the players had to reapply themselves from the league’s break.

“The momentum we had at the break, we lost that. We got them back in training to get some games in. Today, the game could have been better,” Wright said, noting the team needs to take more control of games.

“As for the quarter-finals, the teams will be tougher. We will need the senior players to step up and perform for the team. Once we have that, we should be good,” added Wright.

For Morris, who is now on 22 goals, he said the coach’s pep talk during half-time improved their game play.

“He told us what to do and the game got easier from that point. Today, we had a good game and I scored two decent goals. I am confident in our chances towards the quarter-finals,” Morris said, stating the team has been working hard during the break.

Meanwhile, Dwight Jeremiah, coach of William Knibb, was proud rather than disappointed.

“The future augurs well for this young squad. They exceeded expectations and, for me, I give them credit. I am proud of them,” said Jeremiah.

“Their schoolboy season is not over, as they advanced to the Ben Francis Knockout. They have a chances to reflect on today’s game and see where they can correct their individual errors,” he added.

Zone Two’s Kemps Hill got the better of Ocho Rios High with a much-needed 4-2 win to keep their hopes of a quarter-final berth alive. This was Ocho Rios’ first defeat of the season.

St Elizabeth Technical High (STETHS) rallied to win 3-1 over Old Harbour High to cruise into the quarter-finals. With this win, Old Harbour are eliminated and will head to the Ben Francis KO.

St Elizabeth Technical High School sit atop one Two on six points, while Ocho Rios are tied on three with Kemps Hill. Ocho Rios are ahead on goal difference.

Ocho Rios willl face STETHS on Wednesday, while Kemps Hill will match up against Old Harbour.

Yesterday’s games

Cornwall 4-0 William Knibb

Clarendon College 1-2 Glenmuir

Kemps Hill 4-2 Ocho Rios

STETHS 3-1 Old Harbour

Manchester 1-1 Dinthill

McGrath 2-0 Manning’s