Adrian Frater, News Editor

Western Bureau:

St Elizabeth Technical High School (STETHS) won their third ISSA/Pepsi/Digicel daCosta Cup title yesterday afternoon, when they clipped first-time finalists Manchester High School 1-0 in the 2009 finals at Jarrett Park in Montego Bay.

Before a capacity crowd in the western city STETHS, previous winners in 1974 and 1999, sealed victory, courtesy of a second-half strike by the prolific Deshawn Brown, who was scoring his 25th goal of the season.

"I thought we played brilliantly today and are indeed most deserving champions," said STETHS's coach Andrew Edwards. "I must say full credit to the team, especially Deshawn Brown who got the winning goal, and Kevon Farquharson, who created it for him."

Coveted title

For the Manchester team, which was hoping to take home the coveted title for the first time, it was a case of disappointment mixed with graciousness, especially for coach Barry Watson.

"I thought we played well, but it was just not our day today. We are disappointed but it is all part of the game," said Watson. "Overall, I thought we did well this season."

In a game which started with good end-to-end action, STETHS created the first opportunity in the seventh minute, when Denmark Gillings fired a powerful close-range shot which initially eluded the goalkeeper, but was collected safely on the second attempt.

Manchester countered in the 14th minute and came close when Dave Morgan's shot rebounded from the goalkeeper, but Christopher Henry drove the rebound wide with the goalkeeper at his mercy.

Midway the half, STETHS took charge and began to look rather ominous. They got back-to-back chances in the 22nd and 25th minutes. First, Farquharson's powerful long-range shot was brilliantly tipped over the crossbar by goalkeeper Michael Parcells; and second, Brown dribbled through the defence but was denied by another superb save by the goalkeeper.

Few openings

Towards the end of the half, Manchester High created a few openings but Jason Johnson, who appeared to be carrying an injury, failed to find the target twice as the half ended 0-0.

Manchester High started the second half creating back-to-back chances in the 47th and 50th minutes. First, skipper Baron Watson fired a close-range rebound wide of the goal; and second, the limping Johnson lost possession after taking control in a goalmouth melee.

With the second-half action settling into a pattern, STETHS gradually began to take control, with the speedy Brown creating problems for the Manchester High defence. He should have scored in the 70th minute when he took a superb pass from Denmark Gillings but saw his shot parried wide by the goalkeeper.

With the momentum in STETHS's favour, they finally took the lead in the 75th minute when Farquharson dropped a superb pass into the path of Brown and, almost in one motion, he pivoted and drove the ball into the roof of the net, making the score 1-0.

Finding themselves behind and with their championship aspirations fading fast, Manchester High went into overdrive and created some anxious moments for the STETHS defence. But their efforts proved futile as when the final whistle came they were still hunting in vain.