MUNRO COLLEGE left it until late to edge a five-goal thriller and keep their unbeaten streak going in the ISSA/WATA daCosta Cup football competition at Munro College’s playfield yesterday.
Poor weather conditions forced the game to be truncated to 80 minutes, but a brace from Munro’s Antwone Smith in the 24th minute and time added either side of Roshane Wint’s penalty in the 66th made for exciting viewing. Especially against Maggotty’s leveller in the 47th minute, courtesy of Orane Myers and Ozwayne Smith’s go-ahead goal in the 55th.
Kemar Ricketts, coach of Munro College, said the team’s quest is to stay on top of the zone.
“I told the boys we need to get the three points so we can continue our quest to top the zone going into the second round. It is a game-by-game basis. We’re taking one step at a time. We want to take it in strides and continue to get our three points moving forward,” Ricketts said.
“The weather condition made it a difficult game. You wouldn’t have gotten everything you would have trained for, but the boys were humble and executed well,” he added
Munro remains atop of Zone E with 13 points. Maggotty are third on seven, with BB Coke High second, leading them on goal difference.
Meanwhile, Xavier Hendricks, coach of Maggotty, said it was an emotional loss.
“The players came here expecting to get something out of the game, but it was just an unfortunate situation. It is a very emotional moment. It is an important thing to show that they want it and are willing to go as far as possible this year,” said Hendricks in response to the heartbreak evident on the Maggotty players, who were tearing up and screaming at each other.
“Overall, it was a good game, and we knew it would be a test coming up here in these weather conditions. Most of the players are not used to it,” he added.
In a game that could have gone either way, Munro created better chances and moved the ball more proficiently in the first half, though slippery and cold conditions made it difficult.
In the second half, Maggotty got into the game and created some pressure to balance the game.
On Saturday, Munro will face Lacovia at Munro, BB Coke will face Newell at BB Coke, and Maggotty go to STETHS to face the hosts.
Yesterday’s Results
Newell 1-1 STETHS
Munro 3-2 Maggotty
Happy Grove 3-1 Paul Bogle