Paul Clarke, Gleaner Writer

WESTERN BUREAU:

Kimani Johnson gave Black River High a winning start to the 2012-13 Inter-Secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA)/ Gatorade/Digicel daCosta Cup rural area schoolboy football competition by defeating Lacovia 1-0 in Zone E at the school grounds yesterday.

With the win, Black River jumped to the top of the zone on three points, the same as STETHS, who turned back Maggotty by the same one-nil scoreline.

Johnson benefited from a through ball played from deep within his own half and shook off the Lacovia captain Shavaughn Powell, before easing the ball inside the far post for a goal and the lead.

The goal came against the run of play as up until that point Lacovia looked the more dangerous, although the home side sparingly tried attacking the opposition's goal area, leaving midfield for the Lacovia players to dominate.

Composed

Lacovia did all the early running, especially down the left flank and could have scored themselves if their attacking player, Jovaughn Williams, was more composed.

In the 30th minute, Shavaughn Sampson glanced his header towards goal, but Rennel Lynch, the Black River goalie, was equal to the task.

Johnson was at it again, timing his run from midfield before latching on to a pass from Nimroy Webster, but his shot lacked direction.

It was much of the same in the second half, with Lacovia pushing deep into the home side's half, but they lacked the cutting edge to find the equaliser.

In the 61st minute, Lacovia's Kadeen Stone's free kick from about 21 yards was nicely saved by keeper.

Johnson should have doubled the lead in the 63rd minute, but his tame shot was easily saved Rohan Henry in goal.

Meanwhile, in the other Zone E match, St Elizabeth Technical High School defeated Maggotty 3-1.

Yesterday's Results

Zone A

Green Pond 0 Maldon 0

Zone C

William Knibb 0 Holland 0

Zone G

Knox College 5 Holmwood 2