WESTERN BUREAU:

IT IS USUALLY difficult to single out one player for special mention in an excellent team, but in the case of reigning daCosta Cup champions, Glenmuir High School, the exception is glaring.

While skipper James Thomas, Ricardo Webb and Trevol Smith have been very good, the player capturing the public's imagination has been the dynamic John-Ross Doyley, whose brilliance in midfield and the goal-scoring prowess has made him a constant terror to defenders all season.

If there was ever a doubt about Doyley's exceptional qualities, those should have been laid to rest in his team's 3-2 extra-time daCosta Cup semi-final win against Cornwall College at Jarrett Park last Saturday.

Dug deep for win

Clearly not intimidated by playing in Cornwall College's backyard before a partisan Montego Bay crowd, Doyley scored all three goals as Glenmuir had to dig deep to secure their place in next Wednesday's final against parish neighbours, Garvey Maceo.

In what was a classy showing, Doyley was all composure in the 33rd minute when he pounced on a ball before the Cornwall College goal and, with defenders closing in from all angles, picked his spot and booted in to give his team a 1-0 lead.

After scoring a fairly ordinary goal in the 56th minute to give Glenmuir a 2-1 lead after Cornwall College had pulled level in the 38th minute, Doyley was absolutely brilliant in the first period of extra time when, with the score locked at 2-2, his superb free kick rocketed into the goal, giving his team victory.

With what seems a promising career before him, the 17-year-old Doyley, who has already had international experience representing Jamaica in youth football, seems to have the requisite skills and aptitude to make it big internationally.

With 20 goals this season, including several scored with memorable free kicks, the gifted Doyley, who hopes to play professional football in England in the future, could make the daCosta Cup final a stroll in the park for Glenmuir if he reports in top form.

- A.F.