St Elizabeth Technical High School stayed on course to extend their record run to six straight titles in the ISSA/Flow Ben Francis Knock out after coming from behind three times to beat Dinthill Technical 7-6 on sudden death penalties in the semi-finals played at Manchester High Tuesday.
In a gutsy display, STETHS came from behind in regulation, in extra time and in penalty kicks against an unlucky Dinthill Technical who could have won it in regulation penalty but for an uncharacteristic miss by the prolific Rodave Murray.
The game ended 1-1 after regulation and 2-2 after extra time and the teams were again tied at 4-4 after the first five penalty kicks before the STETHS kickers held their nerves to pull off a solid victory. STETHS will now meet Manchester High in Friday’s final to be played at Juici Field in Clarendon.
Manchester High had booked their spot on Monday with a come from behind 2-1 win over Lennon High at Juici Field.
Heavy rain which fell on and off throughout the game affected the underfoot conditions but not the excitement as after a goalless first half the teams came alive in the second half when Dinthill made the adjustments at half time and clawed their way back into the game.
The fans who braved the rain had to wait until the 86th when substitute Jahmarie Ranger scored what many thought was the winner. Michael Kerr grabbed the equaliser in the first minute of extra time to force extra time.
Murray restored Dinthill’s lead early in extra time when he scored from the penalty spot but Travar McCollough cancelled that out with a curler in the second period.
McCollough could not get past Dinthill’s goal keeper George Brown from the penalty spot in the shootout but his goalkeeper Sandre Ferguson bailed him out by saving Dinthill’s fifth kick taken by Murray who limped to the spot to take the kick.
STETHS scored all three extra kicks in sudden death before Dinthill’s Shemar Brooks skied his shot over the bar as the champions prevailed.
