Glenmuir destroy defending champs ahead of daCosta Cup playoffs

THERE WAS sweet revenge for Glenmuir High School after last year’s semi-final penalty heartbreak against Garvey Maceo as they stormed to a commanding 4-0 victory over defending champions at the Garvey Maceo playing field.

The win marked Glenmuir’s seventh in a row and pushed them to the top of Zone I with 21 points at the end of the first round.

Playing at the champions’ home ground, Glenmuir showed no fear of the occasion, racing to a 3-0 lead at halftime before sealing the win with a fourth goal in the second half. Midfielder Dusting Cohen struck twice in the 42nd and 93rd minutes, and Ricardo Binns (11th) and Orel Miller (24th) added the others.

The defeat was the first of the season for Garvey Maceo, who finished second in the zone with 18 points.

Head coach Ashani Mullings was delighted with his team’s performance.

“Today, the guys came out and played some good football. It was a very good win, and I am not surprised by the scoreline,” Mullings said.

However, he remains cautious, with the second round looming.

“We want nine points, and we are going to take it step by step in the three games to come. With the matches so close together, it’s all about recovery now, and we’ll be making sure the guys are fully ready for what’s ahead,” he added.

Joining Glenmuir and Garvey Maceo in the playoff round are Denbigh and Kemps Hill, both ending with 13 points.

Denbigh secured third place on goal difference after crushing Bustamante High 10-0 at the Wembley Centre of Excellence. After a 3-0 halftime lead, they turned on the style in the second half with seven more goals. Two players bagged hat-tricks — Lashawn Barnaby (37th, 54th, 70th) and Odaine Thompson (22nd, 73rd, 88th). Keanardo Smith (15th, 52nd) netted twice, while Jevaughn Campbell (7th) and Devor Wynter (76th) also got on the scoresheet. Denbigh ended the round with 21 goals scored and six conceded for a goal difference of +15.

Kemps Hill claimed fourth spot after a comfortable 3-0 home win over Vere Technical, finishing with 14 goals scored and six conceded, a goal difference of +8.

Playoff-round action kicks off tomorrow, with the top three advancing to the round of 32.

In Zone A, 10-man Herbert Morrison Technical clipped Maldon High 1-0 at the Herbert Morrison playing field.

In drizzling conditions, Herbert Morrison’s Zamundha Brown scored from a free kick in the 44th minute to secure the win.

The result leaves Maldon second with 16 points (five wins, one draw, and two loses) while Herbert Morrison remains third on 12 points (four wins and four losses).

Garfield Anderson, the coach of Herbert Morrison, said the win emphasises the importance of belief and determination.

“This is a game of Marcus Garvey. If you have no confidence, you are twice defeated in the race of life. We used that to motivate the youngsters,” Anderson said.

“Belief is important, the Obama factor, ‘Yes We Can’. We came up very determined, focused, and knowing that a win will keep us in contention for a place in the inter-zone,” added Anderson.

Meanwhile, Dillan Thelwell, coach of Maldon, said complacency and poor execution led to a defeat.

“Our guys fell short today. In the second half, it was 11 versus 10 and then we were trying to settle down and open the game a little bit. It just never happened today,” Thelwell said.

“We have been creating chances. It is just unfortunate we never put one in the bag in the first half. Hopefully, on Saturday against Cornwall we can turn the fortunes,” he added.

In other games, Cambridge High were able to secure a much-needed 3-2 win over Anchovy High, however, Fromes’ 1-1 draw with Rusea’s keeps Cambridge third.

Cornwall College continued their dominance with a smashing 5-1 win over Irwin High, and William Knibb made light work of Troy High, 3-0.

Yesterday’s Results

Cambridge 3-2 Anchovy

Cornwall 5-1 Irwin

Frome 1-1 Rusea’s

Herbert Morrison 1-0 Maldon

St James High 5-0 Green Pond

Garvey Maceo 0-4 Glenmuir

Kemps Hill 3-0 Vere Tech

Knockalva 2-2 Green Island

Lennon 0-5 Central

Troy High 0-3 William Knibb

Black River 1-0 Petersfield