St Andrew, Kingston brace for semi-final showdown

Published: Wednesday | August 26, 2009


Neighbours St Andrew and Kingston will renew a heated rivalry when they battle for a spot in the final of the JFF Under-15 Challenge Cup, taking the field for a 3 p.m. fixture at Buttercup Park today.

St Andrew lead by the narrowest of margins headed into today's second leg, having clipped Kingston 1-0 at the Bell Chung Oval on Monday. However, despite that, Kingston coach Marcel Gayle does not believe they are by any means out of contention.

"I think we will come a lot better in the second leg because I know what we will have to do to win this game," he said.

"Our players were a bit lacklustre because we were not prepared well enough for Monday's game, but I believe they showed guts and character."

In the first leg, a 53rd-minute strike from Chevon Marsh gave St Andrew the lead. However, their coach Lamar Morgan does not believe the job is finished.

Crucial goal

"We just have to stick to our game plan for the next game ... We were able to get a crucial goal and that definitely gives us the advantage heading into today's second leg," he said.

In today's other semi-final game, St Catherine and Clarendon will face off at the Spanish Town Prison Oval at 3 p.m. The teams will have it all to play for, as they played to a 1-1 draw in the first leg at the Wembley Oval in Clarendon.

In action in the Under-13 Challenge Cup yesterday, St Catherine, led by a brace from Kashane Jones (19th, 36th) blanked Kingston 2-0 at the Spanish Town Prison Oval. Kingston, however, advanced 5-3 on aggregate. At the Wembley Oval in Clarendon, St Andrew advanced 3-2 on aggregate after playing their way to a 2-2 draw with the hosts. Stephan Gileze scored in the 3rd minute and Kori Bennett netted in the 18th for St Andrew, while Ismael Collie scored a brace for Clarendon.