St Elizabeth Technical High School (STETHS) players hold goalkeeper Johnoi Steadman aloft in celebration of his penalty saves that brought them a 9-8 penalty shootout victory over Cornwall College in the ISSA Ben Francis Knockout quarter-final game at Llandilo Community Centre yesterday.
St Elizabeth Technical High School (STETHS) goalkeeper Johnoi Steadman was the man of the match, saving two penalties to help his side squeeze out a 9-8 penalty shootout victory over Cornwall College in the ISSA/WATA Ben Francis Knockout Cup's quarter-final round at the Llandilo Community Centre in Westmoreland yesterday.
In a game consisting of 20 penalty kicks and three saves, this result means STETHS will advance to the semi-finals to join Clarendon College, Denbigh High and Frome High.
After a fairly balanced match, it wasn't until the penalty shootout that the real action began between the long-time rivals.
STETHS' Jevorn Wright was sent to the showers in the 38th minute when he was shown a red card.
Omar 'Rambo' Wedderburn, their coach, said it was a challenge playing with 10 players.
"It was a very tough game after getting a red card in the first half," Wedderburn said. "We really stuck into it and decided to get this victory. I am happy on how the game played out because we came here with the intention to win."
After the first four penalty kicks, the game remained even until Cornwall's Mekhi Foster had his penalty saved by Steadman. Cornwall's goalkeeper Carlyle Tinglin then saved Maleik Wellington's penalty.
Now down to the wire, both goalkeepers stepped up to take penalties. Tinglin had his penalty saved by Steadman, but Steadman then scored to send Cornwall packing.
Steadman said: "The game was rough because we lacked confidence but we managed to be victorious. I felt good saving those penalties but it was nothing special, nothing new because I have been working on it in training with my coaches."
Cornwall's coach Theodore 'Tappa' Whitmore bemoaned their missed chances.
"What let us down was the action in the final third of the game. We created chances but failed to convert," he said.
"The penalty shootout was a lottery, (it) could have gone anyway. But congratulations to the STETHS team.