James brace helps Ocho Rios through to round of 16

Ocho Rios High School secured their place in the next round of the ISSA daCosta Cup with a commanding 4-0 victory over Morant Bay High in their second-round encounter at the Drax Hall Sports Complex in St Ann yesterday.

Ocho Rios join Lacovia High, McGrath High, Manning’s School, Clarendon College and Frome High in the round of 16.

In the rescheduled fixture, Dario James scored a brace, while Elijah Blight and Ryan Francis added a goal each to complete the convincing win.

The result also extended Ocho Rios’ unbeaten run in the daCosta Cup this season.

Competing in Group D, Ocho Rios are second in the standings on 10 points, two behind leaders McGrath High on 12. The teams will meet tomorrow in their final group match in a battle for top spot.

Ocho Rios coach Veron Peterkin welcomed the victory but admitted his team could have performed better, pointing to missed chances and periods of sloppy play.

“Coming into this game, the three points would mean that we automatically qualify. We know that we had to rough this game or play to the best of our ability to secure the three points. At first we knew that one-nil could have done it, but we got four, so we’re still grateful,” said Peterkin.

Peterkin described the performance as “patchy”, explaining that although his team scored twice early, their intensity dipped before they improved after the break.

“It was patchy. We got the two goals early, and from then we were a bit lacklustre. We changed it up in the second half and fortunately, we got two more,” he added.

In other results, also in St Ann, Group F contenders Brown’s Town High and former champions Rusea’s High played out a 1-1 draw.

The result leaves Rusea’s second on seven points, one ahead of third-placed Cornwall College on six. Manning’s School top the group on 12 points.

Rusea’s will travel to face long-time rivals Cornwall College tomorrow in their final group match, with both teams seeking to secure their places in the next round.

In Clarendon, Group B’s Central High thrashed Yallahs High 5-0 to move into third place in the standings. The victory keeps Central in contention for a place in the next round as one of the four best third-placed teams.

The competition continues today with six matches on the schedule.

Yesterday’s Results

Central High 5-0 Yallahs High

Brown’s Town High 1-1 Rusea’s High

Ocho Rios High 4-0 Morant Bay High