A change in match venue, was welcome news for both teams in the second semifinals of the Ben Francis Cup Knock Out competition on Tuesday, but arriving at Manchester school grounds, the elements decided to show its wet face.
The conditions under foot wasn’t ideal but not even a thunderstorm could move the fans, as they were treated to 110 minutes of exciting nerve racking football.
In the end the Anthony Wedderburn unit, lived up to their PHD slogan, coming away victors on penalty kicks. The Elizabeth Technical High School team with its win, put themselves on course for a sixth Ben Francis Cup title.
The defending champions had come from behind three times during the game to beat Dinthill Technical 7-6 on sudden death penalties.
Dinthill went into the lead on minute 71 courtesy of Jahmarie Ranger.
STETHS snatched a goal by way of top striker Michael Kerr in added time, dogging the sting of defeat, sending their supporters in a frenzy.
The game ended 1-1 in regulation time.
Dinthill Technical was determined to clinch the victory, and was back in the driver seat when Rodave Murray restored Dinthill’s lead early in extra time from penalty spot.
Travar McCollough, through a sublime strike, had his team and supporters shouting for joy as the heavens sent down the showers. The Anthony Patrick unit and supporters went into a hush, as the game came to a 2-2 after extra time.
The dreaded penalty kicks would become they decider. Just as the sky cleared up, Dinthill thought they were seeing a spot in the final, McCollough started the challenge for STETHS on a bad note, failing to get pass the Captain and goalkeeper George Brown on the first kick.
Dinthill was perfect up the fifth and final kick ,where they were 4-4, with the final kick being theirs. It was the STETHS goalkeeper Sandre Ferguson to keep them in the game or the prolific striker Murray sealing it for Dinthill.
Wet and limping in pain, teammates cheering him on, fans on edge, but as fate would have it, Murray’s kick was saved by the STETHS keeper.
STETHS went on to score all three successive extra kicks in sudden death while Dinthill’s Shemar Brooks sent shot number seven flying over the crossbar.
It was jubilation and celebration for a relieved STETHS unit and their supporters as they prevailed and look forward to the finals on Friday November 20, 2015 against Manchester High at Juici Park, Clarendon.
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