Lacovia's Delandrew Stephens (left) shows off his dribbling skills against Rusea's Demar Lawrence in yesterday's daCosta Cup match at Jarrett Park. Lacovia won 2-1. - Photo by Adrian Frater

WESTERN BUREAU:

BEN FRANCIS Cup champions St James High, surprise team Lacovia High School and Lennon High joined early qualifiers Spaldings High as the semi-finalists in the ISSA/Pepsi/Digicel daCosta Cup following yesterday's final round of quarter-finals.

St James High, who needed only a draw from their Group One game against Frome Technical at the St Elizabeth Technical High School (STETHS) ground to advance, did so in fine style with a 2-1 win courtesy of a double strike by Allan Ottey. The victory gave St James High group honours.

"We came into today's game knowing what we had to do and the players basically executed," said Pastor Hugh Solomon, the coach of the St James High team. "Our dream is to win the Ben Francis Cup and daCosta Cup and that dream is now very much alive," he said.

Lennon, who entered their Group One game against St Thomas Technical needing just a draw to claim their group's second semi-final place and blunt their opponents' chances of advancing, got the point they needed in a come-from-behind 1-1 draw. Top marksman Dwight Dunk got the all-important goal for Lennon.

Over in Group Two, where the already qualified Spaldings High made it three wins from three starts with a 4-2 victory over Dinthill Technical at Manchester High, Lacovia High created the upset of the day when they spanked eight-time champions Rusea's 2-1 at Jarrett Park.

Rusea's, who would have progressed had they managed a draw, got a major surprise when the sprightly Lacovia High, who benefitted from two major blunders by the Rusea's custodian Lamoy Graham, took all three points, which was good enough to land them in the semi-finals.

"We are absolutely elated," said Lance Morgan, who is in his first season as coach at Lacovia High. "We are thrilled because we made our first ever Ben Francis semi-final this year and here we are now in the daCosta Cup semi-finals, we must give much credit to the players," Morgan said.

With action swinging from end to end and both teams taking turns in attack, Lacovia took a 23rd-minute lead with arguably the softest goal of the season. A tame grounder from about 35 yards out by Javid Morris rolled gently by goalkeeper Graham and then stopped a few inches over the goal-line, making the score 1-0.

Level

Rusea's pulled level in the 28th minute courtesy of a brilliant header by Roydel Moncrieffe. The lanky Moncrieffe outjumped the Lacovia defence for a left-sided corner and directed his perfect header wide of the goalkeeper, making the halftime score 1-1.

Lacovia regained the lead two minutes into the second half when the fleet-footed Morris sped away from the Rusea's defence and, from an acute angle, fired in between goalkeeper Graham and the near post, making the score 2-1.

YESTERDAY'S RESULTS

St James 2 Frome 1

Lacovia 2 Rusea's 1

Spaldings 4 Dinthill 2

Lennon 1 St Thomas 1