Clarendon College (CC), one of the powerhouses of Jamaican schoolboy football, faced an unexpected stumble in their 2024 ISSA/Wata daCosta Cup campaign, dropping a second-round match for the first time in over ten years. Despite this, their journey to defend the prestigious title remains on track, securing a place in the Round of 32 after clinching their spot over the weekend.
Several schools are also celebrating their passage to the next phase, including first-time qualifiers Maldon High from Zone A, alongside former champions such as Frome Technical and Rusea’s High in Zone B, and St Elizabeth Technical (STETHS) in Zone E. Joining them are Central High and Denbigh High, who are emerging as formidable contenders. With 30 of the 32 available spots locked in, the remaining two teams will finalize their positions on Monday.
One of the headline moments came on Saturday when Denbigh High upset Clarendon College, handing them a rare 2-1 defeat. This victory marked Denbigh’s first win over the formidable Clarendon College since 2013. However, both Denbigh and CC, along with Central High, secured their passage to the next round from a fiercely contested Zone H.
Central High, currently leading Zone H with 19 points after a thrilling 3-2 win against Lennon High, is closely followed by Clarendon College with 18 points and Denbigh High with 16. Each team has one remaining match to determine their final standings within the zone.
Meanwhile, Maldon High made history in Zone A, drawing 1-1 with Green Pond High in a nail-biting encounter at the Granville Community Centre. A dramatic late goal by substitute Domonique Clarke in stoppage time secured Maldon the point needed to edge out Green Pond for a spot in the Round of 32, with both teams finishing on 19 points. Maldon advanced on goal difference.
Over in Zone B, Stevaughn Spence starred for Frome Technical, netting a hat-trick in their 3-0 win over Anchovy High, propelling them to 23 points. Rusea’s High also advanced after a 1-0 victory over Green Island High, bringing their total to 20 points with a game still to play.
STETHS, a well-known contender in the daCosta Cup, ended their Zone E schedule on a high, defeating early qualifiers Munro College 2-1. While Munro College claimed the top spot in the zone with 21 points, STETHS’ 18 points were enough to secure second place and a spot in the next round.
Glenmuir High, despite an outstanding start to their campaign, faced back-to-back losses, including a 2-1 defeat to Garvey Maceo High in their Zone I match. This marked the first time in over two seasons that Glenmuir experienced consecutive losses, though they had already secured a spot in the Round of 32.
Mannings School stands out as the only team to complete the first round with a flawless record, having won all eight of their matches. Their final game was a commanding 6-0 victory over Grange Hill High, featuring a four-goal display by Gregory Phillips and additional contributions from Keandre Ellis and Zachry Clarke.
As the competition heads into the knockout stages, anticipation is building. With established teams looking to defend their legacy and newcomers eager to make their mark, the battle for the daCosta Cup title promises excitement at every turn.
