Clarendon turn back St George’s in ISSA Champions Cup

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November 22, 2023

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Clarendon’s coach Lenworth Hyde

Clarendon College defeated St George's College 3-1 in an exciting ISSA Champions Cup quarter-final game at the National Stadium yesterday to book their place in the last four.

It was a game for the purists with both teams exhibiting good technical football over the 90 minutes.

Jindu Powell got St George's off to a great start when he headed them in front after eight minutes

However, Justin Hayles restored parity for the Clarendon team when he capitalised on a mistake in the St George's defence and slotted home from 12 yards in the 13th minute.

After the break, Clarendon took charge and created the better openings but St George's stormed back in the last 20 minutes, pushing their opponents on the defensive but could not capitalise on their momentum.

With the game heading for penalties, leading scorer Kaheem Dixon scored the go-ahead goal with his 25th of the season, a low shot seven minutes from time.

Five minutes into time added, Tedane Williams broke loose and calmly slotted past Jaedon Thompson in goal to seal the win.

Clarendon coach Lenworth Hyde said he was pleased to see the maturity of his players and the resilience they showed in defence.

"We held our nerve and kept our composure. I told them that the opponents will have moments and and during that time St George's had about six consecutive corners on us.

"But we stood our ground and defended well and then we got them on the counter. So it was a disciplined performance from the team and I must lift my hat to them. But St George's put up the very spirited performance," Hyde said.

St George's coach Neville Bell said his team gave it their all but were just unfortunate to come out on the losing end.

"I thought we played well. I thought it was a wonderful schoolboy game. Clarendon College are a great team. They have a wonderful coach and he has been here so often and has done this so many times. So we expected them to play well.

"I am proud of my guys. For most of the game we were even but when we gave up that second goal we were looking for the tying goal, and you leave your back open so the third goal really didn't bother me, as we were going for the tying goal and that caught us. But it was a wonderful game and I am very proud of this St George's team," Bell said.

livingston.scott@gleanerjm.com