Raymond Graham, Gleaner Writer

MICO University College continued their excellent form in Intercol football this season as the Marescaux Road-based institution advanced to their first senior football final, stopping Bethlehem 4-2 on penalties in the semi-final of the Greg Garrell Knockout competition at Mico yesterday.

Mico, who ousted defending champions G.C. Foster College in the first round of the competition last Saturday, before following up with another good victory over last year's beaten finalists, College of Agriculture, Science and Education (CASE), came into their semi-final encounter full of confidence, moreso that they were playing at home.

However, it was not all smooth sailing as Bethlehem, who had beaten Church Teachers' College 4-2 on penalties on Tuesday to advance to yesterday's semi-final, played their hearts out.

Excellent saves

The Bethlehem team, which lost their goalkeeper due to injury early in the game, saw substitute keeper Jermaine Ennis produce some excellent saves to keep his team in the game, which ended goalless.

Like he did against the defending champions, when he produced two excellent saves, goalkeeper Triston Huntley was at his best once again. The former Bellefield High and Sporting Central keeper denied his opponents and made one save, while his Mico team scored all four kicks.

Mico, which played the game without two of their top players, Rosario Harriott who plays for Portmore United in the Red Stripe Premier League and Ricardo Oldham of Arnett Gardens, will be strengthened in the finals. Harriott was out due to a red card he received on Tuesday in their encounter against CASE, while Oldham has not recovered after illness in the Arnett Gardens/Boys' Town Red Stripe Premier League game played just over a week ago.