Adrian Frater, News Editor

Garvey Maceo's captain Ashton Bennett (left) accepts the Ben Francis KO Cup from veteran educator Ben Francis, in whose honour the competition is named. Garvey Maceo defeated Rusea's 2-0 in yesterday's final at Jarrett Park. - photo by Adrian Frater

WESTERN BUREAU:

GARVEY MACEO High created history at Jarrett Park yesterday when they defeated Rusea's 2-0 to win the Ben Francis Knockout Cup - their first major schoolboy football title.

In a disciplined performance marked with bouts of brilliance, the classy Garvey Maceo team, which is unbeaten in all competitions this season, got goals through inspirational skipper Ashton Bennett, his 25th of the season, and Richard Allen.

"We started out a little bit tentative but once we settled down we knew we would get some goals because we have gotten goals in all of our games this season," said victorious coach Jeffrey Hewitt. "We are a team that play well under pressure so we never lost our composure after taking the lead," Hewitt said.

Rusea's coach, Anthony 'Follies' Williams, whose team was hunting a fifth hold on the title, said they played well but paid the price for giving up what he described as a 'soft goal' and then squandering too many chances. The game started with Rusea's calling the tune and looking organised going forward. In fact, they got good early opportunities in the 10th and 16th minutes but both were wasted.

First, Allen nodded straight at the goalkeeper from close, range, and second, Andre Atkinson got away before the goal but fired straight at the goalkeeper. With Rusea's continuing to look ominous and sweeping forward in numbers, Garvey Maceo took the lead with a stroke of brilliance by Bennett. He won possession on the right flank, dribbled by two defenders and then unleashed a torrid left-footer, which struck the goalkeeper's hands and then the underside of the crossbar before dropping inside the goal.

Threatening look

Having taken the lead, Garvey Maceo began to look more threatening with Bennett, Daniel Callaghan and Mikhail Howell working together and putting Rusea's under pressure. However, sturdy defending prevented them from going further ahead. Rusea's just missed drawing level on the stroke of halftime when Ricardo Brown won possession inside the goal area but his hastily taken shot flew over the crossbar.

The second-half started with Garvey Maceo wasting a golden opportunity to double their lead in the 47th minute. Bennett sent Howell clear with a perfect pass but he fired his close-range shot straight at the Rusea's custodian.

Rusea's squandered another opportunity to draw level in the 55th minute when Wayne Sawyers broke free on the left flank and dribble to the edge of the penalty area but, with what looked a clear shot on goal, fired woefully wide of the target. With time ticking away in the game and Rusea's seemingly running out of ideas, Garvey Maceo wasted another good chance in the 80th minute. Allen darted into the goal area but his powerful grounder was drilled just wide of the goal.