Urban teams dominate at Elite Clarendon Competition

URBAN TEAMS dominated yesterday’s quarterfinal action in the Elite Clarendon Football Competition at the Glenmuir High School football field. Mona High, Excelsior High and Kingston College all defeated their rural counterparts to book places in today’s semifinals.

Glenmuir are the only rural team in the last four. They defeated Munro College 2-0 in the day’s final match.

Mona opened the day with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over last year’s beaten finalists Vere Technical. Jermaine Morgan netted the game’s only goal in the 61st minute to send Mona into the last four.

In the second match, Manning Cup champions Excelsior defeated Denbigh High 2-1. Excelsior took some time to settle as the underdogs matched them throughout the early stages before Shawn Salmon broke the deadlock in the 19th minute, finishing from an acute angle inside the penalty area after a well-worked build-up.

Excelsior created several chances to extend their lead but were denied repeatedly by Denbigh goalkeeper Kevin Pryce, who produced a string of outstanding saves to keep his team in the contest as Excelsior carried a 1-0 advantage into the interval.

On the resumption, Excelsior continued to dominate and doubled their lead in the 52nd minute when Salmon grabbed his second goal of the match.

Despite trailing, Denbigh showed great determination and pulled one back in the 81st minute. Rajaun Cassanova delivered an excellent pass to striker Lashawn Barnaby, who controlled the high ball superbly before volleying past the goalkeeper. However, Excelsior held firm to secure the victory.

Kingston College made it three consecutive wins for the urban teams with a 2-1 victory over Manchester High. Kamal Patterson opened the scoring in the 58th minute before Kajay Freckleton added a second in the 90th minute. Javantae Gordon scored Manchester’s lone goal from the penalty spot in the 82nd minute.

The semifinals will be played today, with Mona taking on Excelsior at 4 p.m. in the feature match. In the opening match at 2 p.m., Kingston College will face Glenmuir.