Giant-killers Denbigh High School struck again yesterday, clipping seven-time champions Munro College 2-0 in their ISSA daCosta Cup quarter-final encounter at Munro.
Denbigh’s Lashawn Barnaby, one of the players hospitalised following a lightning strike on Tuesday, opened the scoring before Markland Williams added a second goal to seal another upset victory.
In Zone A, Cornwall College lead the standings on goal difference with three points, ahead of Denbigh and Munro, who are also on three points. Kemps Hill, meanwhile, remain pointless and have been eliminated after a 4-1 defeat to Cornwall.
Denbigh coach Garfield Carney said his team’s strategy centred on maintaining possession and directing play to their main attacking threat, Barnaby.
“It was a competitive game that began with both teams trading plays without breaking through. We secured a game plan, which was trying to keep the football and go to our main striker, Barnaby. We got one midway in the second half,” Carney said.
“We continued, but they started to press us, hoping to get the equaliser. However, in the second half, we actually countered and scored the second goal,” he added.
Denbigh’s return to action came just days after a frightening lightning incident during their quarter-final fixture against Cornwall College on Tuesday, which affected two players.
Although the players had not fully recovered, they felt compelled to honour the fixture. Rather than resuming regular training, the team took part in group counselling sessions to help process the incident and prepare mentally for their return.
Barnaby, who was among those affected, made himself available for yesterday’s encounter, while Omarion Wright remains sidelined as he continues to cope with the experience.
The teams last met in the Ben Francis Knockout, where Denbigh eliminated Munro 2-1.
Both Denbigh and Munro will now require victories in their next matches to advance to the next round.
Meanwhile, Cornwall College continued to stamp their authority on Zone A with a convincing 4-1 victory over Kemps Hill.
Carlondo Morris and Shakeem Gibson both scored braces to secure the win for Cornwall.
Coach Leacroft Lettman said his team approached the game with a positive mindset while focusing on playing in the right areas.
“Well, we went into the game with a positive mindset, knowing that this Kemps Hill team has been playing good throughout, from last season to this season. I think the boys came out with a positive mindset of playing the football in the right areas, and henceforth we came out with four goals and carried the game,” said Lettman.
Cornwall will face Denbigh on Monday to complete the match that was called off because of lightning strikes. The Montego Bay-based school hold a 1-0 lead after the contest was abandoned in the 40th minute.
In another encounter, high-riding Glenmuir High maintained their unbeaten run with a 2-0 victory over Ocho Rios High at the Drax Hall Sports Complex, eliminating the St Ann-based school from contention.
The victory leaves Glenmuir atop Zone B with six points. Lacovia High and McGrath High played out a 1-1 draw, leaving Lacovia second on four points and McGrath third on one point. Ocho Rios remain at the foot of the standings without a point.
Yesterday’s Results
Munro 0-2 Denbigh
Kemps Hill 1-4 Cornwall
Lacovia 1-1 McGrath
Ocho Rios 0-2 Glenmuir
