Adrian Frater, News Editor

Western Bureau:

The high-riding St James High School widened their lead atop the standings in Zone A of the ISSA/Pepsi/Digicel daCosta Cup yesterday afternoon, when goals by Allan Ottey (two), Jason Malcolm and Nicholi Barrett gave them a big 4-0 win over newcomers Green Pond, at Green Pond.

"We should have won by a much wider margin because we got the chances to do so," said Pastor Hugh Solomon, coach of the St James High team. "Nonetheless, we are satisfied that we got maximum three points from the game."

With the other two games in the zone ending in a draw - Herbert Morrison 2-2 against Irwin High and Cornwall College 0-0 against newcomers Spot Valley - the St James team, which moved up to 14 points, is now three clear of second place Cornwall (11).

Resistance

In a game they dominated from start to finish, St James took the lead in the 20th minute when a powerful shot by Barrett was blocked into the path of Ottey by the goalkeeper. Ottey made no mistake, side-footing the ball into the goal to make the score 1-0.

With Green Pond only offering token resistance, St James went further ahead in the 29th minute when Malcolm unleashed a savage shot from 35 yards which struck the right upright and cannoned into the goal, making the half-time score 2-0.

In the second half, St James continued to look ominous, scoring again in the 70th minute when Ottey caught the defence napping and sped away before driving a hard, low shot past the goalkeeper, making the score 3-0.

St James completed the demolition job in the 79th minute when a superb exchange of passes between Ottey and Barrett left Barrett with a clear shot from 20 yards and in full stride, he cracked the ball into the goal, making the final score 4-0.

When the competition continues this after with 15 games, spanning zones B, D, E,H and L(a), among the games that should be closely watched is the big Zone B showdown between leaders Rusea's (13) and brash newcomers Hopewell High (7), which have been creating quite a stir.

Yesterday's Results

Zone A

St James High 4 Green Pond 0

Spot Valey 0 Cornwall College 0

Irwin High 2 Herbert Morrison 2

Today's Games

Zone B

Green Island vs Anchovy at Green Island

Merlene Ottey vs Knockalva at Merlene Ottey

Rusea's vs Hopewell at Rusea's

Zone D

Brown's Town vs Ocho Rios at Addison Park (3:30 p.m.)

Marcus Garvey vs York Castle at Drax Hall

A'Gallimore vs Cedric Titus at Addison Park (1:30 p.m.)

Zone E

Lacovia vs Balaclava at Lacovia

STETHS vs Black River at STETHS

BB Coke vs Munro at Downs Community Centre

Zone H

Thompson Town vs Clarendon College at Thompson Town

Claude McKay vs Lennon at Claude McKay

Vere vs Denbigh at Vere

Zone L (a)

Port Antonio vs Buff Bay at Port Antonio

Fair Prospect vs Happy Grove at Fair Prospect