Giant-killing Kemps Hill still in with a chance

Kemps Hill continued their giant-killing role in this year’s ISSA daCosta Cup football competition, taking down Cornwall College 3-1 in their Group A quarter-final encounter yesterday at Glenmuir.

Coming off a 2-3 defeat a few days earlier to Glenmuir at the same venue, and playing their second and penultimate game of the group stage, Kemps Hill needed a positive result to stay in the hunt for a semi-final place. It was also a chance to avenge their 0-2 loss away to Cornwall in the round of 16.

The result leaves Zone 1’s Kemps Hill and Cornwall tied on three points, with the former slightly ahead on goal difference. Glenmuir lead the zone with six points.

With Cornwall to face Glenmuir and Kemps Hill to face already-eliminated McGrath, the win puts them in strong position for a semi-final berth.

Kemps Hill started with intent, stunning the travelling fans by striking three times inside the first half. With the game only 14 minutes old, a slick three-man combination involving Greg Hamilton, Shevar Daley, and Robert Donaldson ripped open the Cornwall defence. Donaldson, with only the goalkeeper to beat, calmly slotted home to make it 1-0.

Five minutes later, Hamilton doubled the lead in the 19th minute, before Daley made it 3-0 from the penalty spot after Donaldson was brought down in the area. With Daley mesmerising the Cornwall defence with deft touches, the scoreline could have been even bigger, but Kemps Hill wasted a few chances.

Cornwall, led by Carlos Morris, along with Mekhi Foster and Kayon Donaldson, fought back in the final 10 minutes of the half. They were rewarded in the 42nd minute when Morris reduced the deficit with a well-taken goal, cutting the lead to 3-1 at half-time.

With their backs against the wall, Cornwall pressed hard in the second half, but a combination of missed opportunities and excellent goalkeeping from Kemps Hill’s Omario Chambers, who pulled off at least two miraculous point-blank saves, kept the score intact and secured the three points.

TEAM PRAISED

Winning coach Kiegon Mitchell praised his team’s effort.

“Today the boys came out and played some good football and delivered,” he said. “We were always confident coming off a good game against Glenmuir. Going into our final game against McGrath, we’re going all out for the win.”

Losing coach Hector Wright was disappointed with his team’s energy.

“The team came out lacklustre today and gave away two early goals from simple errors,” he said.

“We got numerous chances in the second half, but too many misses cost us. We’re still confident we can get a win against Glenmuir at home in the final game.”

Two games were also played in Zone 2, with St Elizabeth Technical High School (STETHS) going on a rampage to hand Christiana a 4-0 defeat, while Dinthill Technical clipped Clarendon College 2-1.

The teams in Zone 2 came into the encounters tied on a point, meaning STETHS and Dinthill have forged ahead to take the first and second places in the zone, respectively. STETHS enjoy the better goal difference.

All is not lost for Clarendon College or for Christiana, though. They play each other in the final game, and a victory for either would put them on four points.

With STETHS playing Dinthill, a loss for either could see them caught on the final day.

Yesterday’s Results

Kemps Hill 3-1 Cornwall

Christiana 0-4 STETHS

Dinthill 2-1 Clarendon