Cornwall, Frome knocked out

Paul Clarke, Gleaner Writer

Western Bureau:

William Knibb did the unexpected yesterday, beating seven-time Ben Francis Cup KO winners Cornwall College 4-3 on penalties, in a thrilling encounter at Jarrett Park.

The final result came after the teams ended regulation and extra time locked at 1-1.

Alex McFarlane, Amrick McFarlane and Akeem McCarthy scored from the spot for the Hopeton Gilchrist-coached Cornwall, while Rojay Anderson, Brad Johnson, goalkeeper Beaty James and Jermaine Ricketts were on the mark for William Knibb, who will now play Grange Hill in Saturday's quarter-final at Jarrett Park.

Cornwall dominated the proceedings from the opening minute, snapping at the William Knibb goal without success. In the sixth minute, Cornwall's Alex McFarlane announced himself to the William Knibb defenders with a stinging shot that nipped just wide of the mark.

wide of target

He was to be instrumental for Cornwall all afternoon, but the first real clear chance fell to the visitors when Junior Morgan drilled his effort wide of target.

Alex duly opened the scoring in the 34th minute, but the never-say-die attitude of the William Knibb players was tonic enough to get them back on even keel.

From a period of sustained pressure, the William Knibb team earned a corner, which was sent into the area and the ball ricocheted off Cornwall defender Christopher Samuels and past his goalkeeper Levanno Lewis and into the net to tie the game 1-1.

The match went into extra time with Cornwall College looking the likely winners, but wayward shooting and strong defending hurt their effort.

"We had the advantage in this game and yet we failed to capitalise on it. It's back to the drawing board for us because we still have inter-zone daCosta Cup to think about," said a disappointed Gilchrist.

Meanwhile, winning coach Garfield Anderson was elated with the win.

"This was truly a good game and I am so proud of the way my players played today. We stuck to what we believed in and it paid off for us. Next up is Grange Hill, so we will go at it also with a positive mind frame."

Meanwhile, Grange Hill sent a warning with an 8-7 victory of the highly favoured Frome Technical.

Yesterday's results

William Knibb 1 Cornwall 1

(William Knibb advanced 4-3 on penalties)

Grange Hill 8 Frome 7

Manchester 2 Spalding 2

(Manchester won 6-5 on penalties)

Clarendon 3 Cedric Titus 2

St Mary Tech 2 Dinthill 0

Paul Bogle 3 Port Antonio 0

Kemps Hill 2 Garvey Maceo 1