Adrian Frater, News Editor

WESTERN BUREAU:

CHAMPIONS GODFREY Stewart's bid to retain their daCosta title was left hanging by a thread yesterday after they battled to a bruising 2-2 draw against Petersfield in their crucial Zone C game at Petersfield.

The result leaves Godfrey Stewart's (11 points) hopes of survival in the realms of mathematics as they need to win big against Maud McLeod (0) in their final game on Saturday while hoping that group leaders Grange Hill (16) beat Petersfield (14) by three clear goals, creating an opening for them to advance on goal difference.

"We are not giving up hope because this is football and it is a game that is very unpredictable," said Godfrey Stewart's coach, Carl Palmer. "We plan to do what we have to do and hope for the best."

The game, which was fiercely contested, ended in chaotic fashion as immediately after the final whistle spectators hurled bags of water at the match officials, accusing them of not handling the game properly. Coach Palmer said contrary to reports, he can vouch that none of his players took part in the incident.

Hard battle

In another big games in western Jamaica, former champions Herbert Morrison (14) joined William Knibb (16) as the inter-zone qualifiers from Zone A after scoring a hard-fought 2-1 over Maldon (six) in their game in Maldon. As a consequence, Cornwall College's (10) bid to advance ended despite their 5-3 win over St. James in their Montego Bay derby.

In other games across the island, Cedric Titus and Zone D contender Cedric Titus (six) and Zone K's Tacky (15) both failed in their bid to secure inter-zone places after tasting defeats at the hands of Ocho Rios (12) and Oracabessa (10), respectively.

However, Garvey Maceo (18) joined leaders Glenmuir (20) as a qualifier from Zone I after scoring a big 4-0 win over Vere Technical who had clipped them 1-0 in their first-round game.

YESTERDAY'S RESULTS

Zone A: