Paul A. Reid, Staff Reporter
Munro College's midfielder Rodeno Wright (left) makes a pass upfield just ahead of an onrushing Cornwall College defender during the second half of Saturday's Jackson Shield competition in Montego Bay. Cornwall retained the title after winning 4-1 on aggregate. - PHOTO BY PAUL REID
WESTERN BUREAU:
CORNWALL COLLEGE won the Jackson Shield preseason football series after beating long-time rivals Munro College 4-1 on aggregate at Cornwall College on Saturday.
The over-35 team made all the difference as they beat their Munro counterparts 3-0 - thanks to two first-half goals from Venton Williams and a thunderbolt shot from former national striker Allie McNab.
The daCosta Cup teams played to a 1-1 draw in the first game of the double header.
The series, which started in 1994, resumed after a one-year break and Cornwall were taking their eighth hold on the title.
A small but very vocal crowd watched the games that were shortened due to a late start.
The matches were supposed to be the curtain-raiser for Jamaica's friendly international against Guatemala at Jarrett Park. The postponement of the international, however, resulted in the games being moved to Cornwall.
In the game between the daCosta Cup teams, Cornwall dominated, especially in the first half, but failed to make their possession count.
The home team eventually took the lead in the second half from an Omroy Wilson penalty after the ball was handled just inside the penalty box.
Munro snatched the equaliser with minutes to go, however, when André Anderson surprised the Cornwall defence with a brilliant free kick from just outside the area.
Anderson's well-struck shot deflected off goalkeeper Tedroy Watson's hands and rocketed into the back of the net.
ALL CORNWALL
The second game was more one-sided, however, as despite having only three substitutes to choose from, Cornwall dominated.
The skilful Williams wormed his way through the Munro defence to score two goals, while McNab brought the crowd to its feet when he latched on to a pass form Patrick Reid and blasted it past the Munro goalkeeper.
Munro had one chance in the second half but former national goalkeeper Warren Barrett brought off a brilliant save in his debut in the series. The ball was lobbed over the defence and seemingly over the goalkeeper's head, but the keeper showed great agility, going backwards to pluck the ball out of the air to preserve his team's lead.
