Tweet
<span style="font-weight: bold">News Source: OTGNR - </span>
<span style="font-weight: bold"> OGNR # Football : WEEP NOT , LENNO...( Observer )...</span>
MONTEGO BAY, St James -- Rusea's High School won their ninth ISSA/Pepsi/Digicel daCosta Cup title yesterday under controversial circumstances, edging first-time finalists Lennon High 1-0 in extra-time at Jarrett Park.Anthony Walker's 110th-minute winner from mere feet in front of the goal appeared to come off the back of his right hand, but referee Patrick McPherson ruled that the goal was legal, sending thousands of supporters into wild celebrations.The festivities got out of hand when McPherson blew the final whistle moments later and the presentation ceremony had to be moved to the roof of a building away from the fans who wanted to get their hands on the trophy and the players.That aside, the game lived up to its expectations between two outstanding teams who gave the standing room-only crowd at Jarrett Park all they came to see.The teams were evenly matched as was demonstrated in the fact that only one goal separated them after 200 minutes as they had also battled to a 0-0 draw in a quarterfinal-round game less than a month ago.An emotional Anthony 'Follies' Williams, the assistant coach of Rusea's who was in charge the last time they won in 2002, was almost at a loss for words at the end of an enthralling contest."Words can hardly express, we have worked hard all season," he said, "and it finally paid off here."Lennon's Merron Gordon was less than pleased, telling the Sunday Observer, "When you have a great final like this and it comes down to this, a hand ball, it's really disappointing."He said both teams acquitted themselves well, as would be expected from "the best two teams in the daCosta Cup", and that while both teams might have shown some nerves at the start, they settled down and played well.While Lennon dominated for long periods, maintaining possession, it was Rusea's who had the better of the scoring chances, attacking almost exclusively down the left side of the field for the first 20 minutes of the game.A shot from Jermaine Woozencroft in the 15th minute drove Lennon's goalkeeper Gerald Eastwood back into his goal, but he managed to keep the ball from crossing the line.Rusea's Brian Brown, who ended the season tied as the top scorer with St James High's Allan Ottey on nine goals, almost gave his team the lead on the stroke of half-time, but he kicked into the side netting after beating two defenders.A slick combination between Woozencroft and Walker resulted in a free-kick just outside of the Lennon area in the 51st after Walker was forced to his right and prevented from getting a clear shot at goal.Ten minutes later, Lennon's Ewan Grandison tested Rusea's goalkeeper Paul Trench -- who kept most of the second half with a heavy bandage around his face -- with a long-range shot that the 'keeper handled easily.With time running out, Rusea's -- seemingly content to play for penalty kicks -- attempted to put the final piece of the puzzle together when they substituted Trench for his back-up Lamoy Graham, who is known as a better shot-stopper.He would not be called into action, however, as with a few ticks left on the clock, Walker got the ball into the back of the net from a melee as Lennon failed to clear from the goal mouth.
<span style="font-weight: bold"> OGNR # Football : WEEP NOT , LENNO...( Observer )...</span>
MONTEGO BAY, St James -- Rusea's High School won their ninth ISSA/Pepsi/Digicel daCosta Cup title yesterday under controversial circumstances, edging first-time finalists Lennon High 1-0 in extra-time at Jarrett Park.Anthony Walker's 110th-minute winner from mere feet in front of the goal appeared to come off the back of his right hand, but referee Patrick McPherson ruled that the goal was legal, sending thousands of supporters into wild celebrations.The festivities got out of hand when McPherson blew the final whistle moments later and the presentation ceremony had to be moved to the roof of a building away from the fans who wanted to get their hands on the trophy and the players.That aside, the game lived up to its expectations between two outstanding teams who gave the standing room-only crowd at Jarrett Park all they came to see.The teams were evenly matched as was demonstrated in the fact that only one goal separated them after 200 minutes as they had also battled to a 0-0 draw in a quarterfinal-round game less than a month ago.An emotional Anthony 'Follies' Williams, the assistant coach of Rusea's who was in charge the last time they won in 2002, was almost at a loss for words at the end of an enthralling contest."Words can hardly express, we have worked hard all season," he said, "and it finally paid off here."Lennon's Merron Gordon was less than pleased, telling the Sunday Observer, "When you have a great final like this and it comes down to this, a hand ball, it's really disappointing."He said both teams acquitted themselves well, as would be expected from "the best two teams in the daCosta Cup", and that while both teams might have shown some nerves at the start, they settled down and played well.While Lennon dominated for long periods, maintaining possession, it was Rusea's who had the better of the scoring chances, attacking almost exclusively down the left side of the field for the first 20 minutes of the game.A shot from Jermaine Woozencroft in the 15th minute drove Lennon's goalkeeper Gerald Eastwood back into his goal, but he managed to keep the ball from crossing the line.Rusea's Brian Brown, who ended the season tied as the top scorer with St James High's Allan Ottey on nine goals, almost gave his team the lead on the stroke of half-time, but he kicked into the side netting after beating two defenders.A slick combination between Woozencroft and Walker resulted in a free-kick just outside of the Lennon area in the 51st after Walker was forced to his right and prevented from getting a clear shot at goal.Ten minutes later, Lennon's Ewan Grandison tested Rusea's goalkeeper Paul Trench -- who kept most of the second half with a heavy bandage around his face -- with a long-range shot that the 'keeper handled easily.With time running out, Rusea's -- seemingly content to play for penalty kicks -- attempted to put the final piece of the puzzle together when they substituted Trench for his back-up Lamoy Graham, who is known as a better shot-stopper.He would not be called into action, however, as with a few ticks left on the clock, Walker got the ball into the back of the net from a melee as Lennon failed to clear from the goal mouth.