Adrian Frater, News Editor

Irwin High's Chay Grant (right) takes on two Cornwall College defenders in yesterday's daCosta Cup encounter at Irwin. The hosts won 1-0. - Photo by Adrian Frater

WESTERN BUREAU:

IRWIN HIGH created the biggest upset in Zone A of the ISSA/Pepsi/Digicel daCosta Cup yesterday when they handed eight-time champions Cornwall College their first defeat of the season, clipping them 1-0 at Irwin.

In a game in which Irwin's goalkeeper, Kirk Porter, and central defender, Jamar Johnson, emerged as the outstanding players, Irwin got their lone goal from the penalty spot via Gavin Brown, who got up and scored after he was fouled inside the goal area.

"The team played well to instruction today and once we took the lead, we defended it stoutly," said coach Joshua Cummings, whose team had 1-1 results in their first two games. "The boys must be commended on a fine performance."

Ended in draw

In the other two Zone A games, joint group leaders St James High and Maldon played to a 1-1 draw.

So did the group's two newcomers, Spot Valley High and Green Pond High, the two strugglers in what is shaping up to be a very competitive group.

After seeing off the early pressure applied by Cornwall College, during which they missed a glorious chance in the third minute through Seyon Afflick, Irwin gradually began to take control and were rewarded when Brown was brought down inside the penalty area in the eighth minute. Brown made no mistake from the spot.

Cornwall College got back-to-back chances to draw level in the 13th and 21st minutes, but both were squandered. First, Kenrick McLeod had his close-range shot brilliantly saved by the goalkeeper, and second, Afflick fired wide from close range.

Wasted chances

Ten minutes into the second half, Irwin wasted a glorious chance when Brown cut across the face of the goal but cracked his shot inches wide of the left upright with the goalkeeper at his mercy.

A minute later, Cornwall College just missed on a counter-attack when McLeod lost possession after fumbling in the goal area.

Midway through the half, Irwin missed another fine chance in the 73rd minute when Ricardo Wilson left the Cornwall College defence looking at his back after he sped away from them. However, his close-range shot was poorly directed.

Towards the end of the game, Irwin went on the defensive and although they came under much pressure, goalkeeper Porter and Johnson combined to keep things tight at the back as Cornwall College sought the equaliser in vain.

Yesterday's results

Zone A

Maldon 1 St James 1, Irwin 1 Cornwall College 0, Spot Valley 1 Green Pond 1.

Zone K

Tacky 5 Islington 1, Iona 0 St Mary Technical 0, St Mary High 3 Brimmervale 1.

Zone L (a)

Titchfield 4 Buff Bay 1.