Favourites Glenmuir head to quarters after win over Clarendon

GLENMUIR BOOKED their quarter-final spot in the ISSA daCosta Cup football competition after scoring a 2-1 win over home team Clarendon College in Group Three action yesterday.

The victory pushed Glenmuir to six points, staying perfect from their two games and moving ahead of Garvey Maceo, who sit on four points.

Playing before a large crowd, the Andre Peart–coached Glenmuir team struck in each half through goals from Orel Miller in the 20th minute and Kamarie Wright in the 69th. Scoring for the home team was Anthony Reid in the 27th minute.

In front of one of the biggest crowds at a schoolboy game this season, Clarendon College almost took the lead inside the first minute when a free kick from about 35 yards sailed over the Glenmuir ‘keeper but was cleared off the line just in time by a defender.

Both teams were tit for tat in the first stanza, with Glenmuir taking the early lead when Miller rifled a left-footed shot from 25 yards into the left side of the goal and into the roof of the net.

With their supporters roaring, Clarendon College found the equaliser seven minutes later when Reid’s free kick from 30 yards went through a wall of players on the ground and beat the goalkeeper, making it 1-1 at the half.

Left-footed beauty

At the restart, both teams pushed to take the ascendancy, but Glenmuir, through Dusting Cohen, Miller, and skipper Orane Watson, looked more likely to score. They eventually regained the lead from a set play, as, after a corner, Wright unleashed a left-footed beauty from 20 yards that gave the goalkeeper no chance as it screamed past him.

Clarendon College, led by Justin Hayles, Jaheim Senior and Reid, tried desperately to find the equaliser but were denied by solid Glenmuir defending, especially in the latter stages, as the visitors held on for the win.

With his team staying perfect after edging Maggotty 1-0 in their opening game, Peart was elated.

“I am extremely pleased with the win. It was a competitive game with some hard tackles from both teams, but we were well prepared. It is my first time coaching a team here, and it was a nice atmosphere for football,” said Peart.

“Despite advancing to the quarter-finals, our game at home against Garvey Maceo will not be taken lightly. We are aiming for three points to end the group on a high,” he added.

For first-year Clarendon College coach Devon Anderson, there was disappointment.

“The team played well in stages, but like all season we have been let down by poor finishing, and this cost us the game,” said Anderson, who now hopes for a win over Maggotty in their final game. They still have an outside chance of advancing if Glenmuir defeat Garvey Maceo.