daCosta Cup: Brown brace lifts St James

St James High survived a late fightback from Herbert Morrison Technical High to secure a 3-2 victory in their ISSA daCosta Cup Zone A encounter yesterday at Herbert Morrison.

Saudikee Williams opened the scoring in the fourth minute before leading goalscorer Davano Brown struck twice, in the 21st and 30th minutes, to put St James firmly in control.

But Herbert Morrison refused to give up with Hasani Nelson pulling one back in the 40th minute before St James defender Jevon Forrester scored an own goal in the 64th minute to set up a tense finish.

St James coach Bryan Stoney credited his players for remaining composed under pressure and praised their defensive effort.

“Give thanks and praise to the Almighty again. It was an evenly contested game, especially in the second half,” said Stoney.

“We stood up to their pressure and ended up winning. It’s good to get three points away from home,” he added.

Playing in wet conditions, St James wasted little time taking control when Williams capitalised on a goalkeeping error to fire home in the fourth minute.

Brown then doubled the lead in the 21st minute before completing his brace nine minutes later to give the visitors a comfortable advantage.

Herbert Morrison, though, responded before the break when Nelson pulled one back in the 40th minute.

The hosts continued to apply pressure after the resumption and were rewarded again when Forrester turned the ball into his own net in the 64th minute, setting up a nervous final stretch for St. James.

Herbert Morrison coach Garfield Anderson said a series of mistakes left his young team with too much ground to make up.

“I think we started really poor because of a goalkeeping error. We conceded a goal that we didn’t expect, but these are youngsters, so we understand. However, we went on to make more errors and dug ourselves too deep. It was really difficult for us to come back,” said Anderson.

“The team showed character and resilience. They didn’t give up, and I’m proud of the boys nonetheless,” he added.

The victory moved St James to six points, level with Irwin High at the top of Zone A, with Irwin holding the advantage on goal difference. Herbert Morrison remain third on four points.

Meanwhile, Munro College continued their impressive start to the preliminary round with a crushing 13-0 victory over Mount St Joseph Catholic.

B.B. Coke also strengthened their campaign with a 2-0 win over Belair, while Rusea’s High tightened their grip on Zone B with a 5-1 away victory over Green Island.

Black River High also produced a dominant performance, hitting Lewisville 6-0 at home.

Yesterday’s results

B.B. Coke 2-0 Belair

Herbert Morrison 2-3 St James

Mount St Joseph 0-13 Munro

Cambridge 0-5 Muschett

Ferncourt 3-0 York Castle

Brown’s Town 1-1 Cedric Titus

Green Island 1-5 Rusea’s

Grange Hill 0-5 Little London

May Day 7-1 Cross Keys

Spot Valley 1-1 Green Pond

Kellits 1-1 Charlemont

Tacky 0-4 St Mary High

Denbigh 0-0 Lennon

Alston 0-7 Knox College

Winston Jones 0-3 Bellefield

Mile Gully 1-1 Vere Tech

Foga Road 1-1 Porus

Black River 6-0 Lewisville