Final-four place historic for Edith Dalton-James

Goals from the leading striker, Felecia Brown, and Danischa Rattray saw Edith Dalton James High into their first ever Tip/Friendly schoolgirl football semi-finals after a 2-0 win over Decarteret College in their top-of-the-table Zone C match at Edith on Friday.

The Omar Taffe-coached Edith joined defending champions Excelsior High, last season’s beaten finalists Holmwood Technical, and Garvey Maceo High in the last four.

Buoyed by the loud and enthusiastic support of their travelling fans, Decarteret made it a very competitive first half, giving as good as they got.

Rattray had the best chance to open the scoring but blasted over with the goal at her mercy.

However, she made amends in time added when she squeezed a low shot under the Decarteret goalkeeper from just inside the area.

The visitors came out after the break as spirited as before, but the game was put out of their reach when Brown, who was a constant threat all game, rifled home from outside the area to put Edith Dalton 2-0 up.

“We are proud to be in the semi-finals,” Brown commented. “We have been dreaming of making the semis, and we have done it. Now we will try our best (in semis),” said the 15 year-old forward, who now has 14 goals in the campaign.

Edith Dalton finished atop the group with nine points, five more than Seaforth High, who beat St Andrew Technical 3-0. Decarteret ended third on goal difference.

Meanwhile, Excelsior marched into the last four after a 7-0 win over Yallahs High in Zone D. Excelsior, nine points, were five points clear of Jose Marti High, who stopped Manchester High 3-0.

In the big match of the day, Holmwood secured their semi-final spot after a 1-0 win over Frome Technical in Zone A. Holmwood ended on nine points, three ahead of Frome. In the other game in the zone, Hampton beat Old Harbour 4-3.

Over in Zone B, Garvey Maceo defeated Lacovia High 2-0 to take group honours, also with maximum nine points, three clear of Central, who stopped Green Pond 3-0.

The semi-finals are set for tomorrow at a venue to be announced.

livingston.scott@gleanerjm.com