Adrian Frater, News Editor
WESTERN BUREAU:
WILLIAM KNIBB High School took over sole leadership in Zone A of the ISSA/Pepsi/Jamaica National daCosta Cup schoolboy football competition yesterday when a double strike by Vifroy Kirlew gave them a 2-0 win over St. James High at Jarrett Park.
Now on a four game winning streak, the William Knibb team leads the group with 22 points, one more than Cornwall College, which led the group standing prior to yesterday's game.
However, Cornwall College could reclaim the lead this afternoon when they take on Anchovy, also at Jarrett Park.
"We are happy with this result as our aim going into the game was to take all three points," said Cassman Williams, coach of the William Knibb team. "I thought we played very well today and should we continue in the same vein, we should advance from the group."
In what was a keenly contested first half, St. James got the first real goalscoring opportunity in the 18th minute. A superb close range volley by Clyde Morleise seemed destined for the back of the net only to be turned wide by the alert William Knibb custodian.
Midway the half, William Knibb missed two glorious chances in rapid succession through Kirlew. Firstly, in the 26th minute, he fired straight at the goalkeeper from a mere six yards and secondly, in the 28th minute, he broke free before the goal but side-footed wide of the mark.
With time ticking away in the half and both teams locked in a keen tussle, Kirlew broke the deadlock in the 40th minute. The fleet-footed Dhane Johnson waltzed through the St. James defence and dropped a neat pass at his feet. He calmly side-footed in, making the half-time score 1-0.
In the second half, St. James came out gunning for the equaliser and looked quite resolute in attack. Bobby Fisher should have pulled them level in the 52nd minute but after breaking free, he fumbled and lost possession to a defender.
St. James came quite close in the 67th minute when the won a free-kick 25 yards from goal. The spot kick by Morleise curled past the goalkeeper's outstretched hands but struck the crossbar and rebounded into play.
With time running out St. James High went all out in attack. But the more composed William Knibb doubled their lead in the 80th minute when a cross from the left flank fell into the path of the alert Kirlew and his cracking grounder gave the goalkeeper no chance, making the final score 2-0.
YESTERDAY'S RESULTS
Group A
St James 0 William Knibb 2
Group B
Cambridge 0 Knockalva 0
Group D
Marcus Garvey 2 Brown's Town 3
Aabuthnott Gallimore vs Cedric Titus (Abandoned, crowd trouble)
York Castle 0 Ocho Rios 2
Group L (b)
St Thomas Technical 0 Morant Bay 1
TODAY'S GAMES
Group A
Herbert Morrison vs Irvin
Maldon vs Muschett
Cornwall vs Anchovy
Group E
BB Coke vs Newell
Balaclava vs Munro
Lacovia vs STETH
Group F
May Day vs Manchester
Bellefield vs Belair
Group G
Holmwood vs Spalding
Christiana vs Porus
Group J
McGrath vs Bog Walk
Old Harbour vs Charlemont
Glengoffe vs Ewarton
Group K
Brimmervale vs Iona
Annotto Bay vs Tacky
St Mary Tech vs Islington
