CC through after overcoming flu

Clarendon College (CC) coach Lenworth Hyde praised his players for their come from behind 2-1 win over Charlie Smith in the ISSA Champions Cup quarter-final football match at Stadium East in Kingston yesterday.

Hyde said his team came down with the flu over the holidays and was not at their best but impressed him regardless.

CC joined Jamaica College (JC), Kingston College (KC) and Dinthill Technical in the next round.

They found themselves 1-0 down when Andre Gibbs converted a penalty for Charlie Smith in the 35th minute.

However, Timar Dunn equalised two minutes later and Jaheim Rose stole the victory at the death, driving home a penalty in the final minute to book CC's spot in the last four.

"Some players came down with the flu, even myself," Hyde told STAR Sports yesterday. "The manager did an excellent job getting them to play today and we are thankful for that, because, at one time, up to 10 players were down with the flu. We had to stop the training, sit them out, feed them, and help them to recover properly.

"But they are surprising me every day. With all the obstacles we have faced, I lift my hat to them because they have stuck with us and are working pretty hard, and we see the fruits of our labour right now."

Hyde said (CC) they were the better team and should have put the game to bed from early.

"We had two to three good chances," he said. "Charlie Smith came into the game, hitting some long balls, but we were disciplined defensively and that is why we got the win.

"Every match from here is a final, and we look forward to the semi-final on Saturday."

Clarendon stamped their authority on the game from very early, taking control of possession and dictating the pace of the game.

They also created at least three good openings to go in front, but failed to make use of their chances.

Charlie Smith, who were second best all game, created a rare look-in at goal when Christopher Wilson, who came on as a first-half substitute, cut inside his marker and was brought down inside the area earning Charlie Smith a penalty, which Gibbs calmly converted.

However, that lead did not last long, as Dunn's well struck volley from the edge of the area in the 37th restored parity in the match.

The game then returned to its initial trend with Clarendon controlling possession and squandering good opportunities after the interval.

Charlie Smith's best chance came from Gibbs' ferocious free kick from 20 yards in the 80th minute, which was parried away by goalkeeper Jameal Vassell.

Although Clarendon continued to create good openings, they could not take advantage.

They eventually got the breakthrough in the final minute of regulation time when Malachi Douglas was brought down inside the box and Rose put away the resulting spot kick to give CC the win.

Charlie Smith coach Eugene Williams said poor officiating cost his team the match.

"I cannot feel pleased," he said. "The officiating wasn't what we expected. This is schoolboy football, next to the Premier League, so I am very disappointed."

In the other quarter-final game at Stadium East yesterday, Jamaica College stopped Garvey Maceo 1-0.

CC will now face KC in one semi-final, while Dinthill play JC in the other on Saturday.