Fireworks and dramatics are expected on Friday afternoon when St Elizabeth Technical and Manchester High clash at Juici Field in the finals of the ISSA/Flow Ben Francis Knock out competition to decide the first final in the rural area senior boys’ football competition this season.
Both teams are coming off dramatic come from behind wins in the semi-finals earlier this week and if they maintain this form, the fans could be in for a treat.
STETHS are going after an incredible sixth straight title while Manchester High are in their third final and still hunting their first hold on the title.
In both previous finals, Manchester High were beaten by today’s rivals STETHS and it will either be third time lucky or yet another loss to STETHS.
Both teams had contrasting starts, Manchester High scored a record 68 goals while winning all their games in the first round.
STETHS meanwhile struggled in the first round but managed to pull it out late and since then the teams have swapped roles, STETHS have not lost in rural area competition since, winning six games in the daCosta Cup scoring 30 goals while Manchester have lost twice and just managed to score eight goals in their six matches.
Michael Kerr is the hot scorer for STETHS and his 14 goals lead all players since the end of the first round with Shawn Genus close with another 10 goals.
Romario Walsh and Duhaney Williams had combined for 37 goals in the first round for Manchester High but since then have found scoring difficult with Walsh getting five.
In the semis earlier this week. On Monday, Manchester High scored in the 90th minute to equalise against Lennon before going on to win 2-1 and a day later STETHS and Dinthill topped that drama with a scintillating display of their own.
STETHS came back three times from time added on in regulation time to winning dramatically 7-6 in sudden-death penalties.
Dinthill had taken the lead in the 86th minute but STETHS equalised in time added on to force extra time.
Dinthill went ahead again early in extra time but once against STETHS came back to level the scores as they went to penalty kicks.
STETHS missed their first attempt and were behind the eighth ball until Dinthill missed on their final kick and the teams were tied on 4-4 necessitating sudden death when STETHS pulled off the win.
BEN Francis KO Winners over the Years
- 1982- Vere Technical
- 1983-Cornwall College
- 1984- Cornwall College
- 1985- Rusea’s Comprehensive
- 1986- Herbert Morrison Technical
- 1987- Rusea’s Comprehensive
- 1988-Herbert Morrison Technical
- 1989- Clarendon College
- 1990- Clarendon College
- 1991- Cornwall College
- 1992- Rusea’s Comprehensive
- 1993- Glenmuir High
- 1994- Glenmuir High
- 1995- Cornwall College
- 1996- Rusea’s Comprehensive
- 1997- Suspended due to threats against teachers
- 1998- Clarendon College
- 1999- Glenmuir High
- 2000- Cornwall College
- 2001- Cornwall College
- 2002- Old Harbour High
- 2003- Cornwall College
- 2004- Glenmuir High
- 2005- Glenmuir High
- 2006- Frome Technical
- 2007- Garvey Maceo
- 2008-St James High
- 2009- Glenmuir High
- 2010- St Elizabeth Technical High
- 2011- St Elizabeth Technical High
- 2012- St Elizabeth Technical High
- 2013- St Elizabeth Technical High
- 2014- St Elizabeth Technical High
- 2015 – ????
