Quarter-final lineup completed in Prime Minister’s Cup

Ellerton defeated Notre Dame 2-1 at the Speightstown Playing Field on Thursday to secure the last quarter-final berth in the Prime Minister’s Cup.

The round-of-16 victory booked their place in the final eight, with matches set to kick off at the Friendship Playing Field on November 19.

Division One team Notre Dame struck first when Winston Maynard’s 21st-minute goal put them ahead, with the problems deepening for Ellerton eight minutes later when veteran central defender Shane Codrington received the game’s first yellow card.

As he has done for several years, however, Ellerton captain and player of the match Shaquille Belle dragged his team back into the game with a 39th-minute equaliser, with no further change to the scoreline before half-time.

Ellerton captain Shaquille Belle was named player of the match (Photo by: @theprimeministerscup)

Ethan Squires completed the turnaround for Ellerton with a goal in the 57th minute as the St George-based team ultimately held on to book a quarter-final spot in yet another major tournament.

Speaking after the game, Belle revealed he was not surprised by the challenging nature of the encounter.

“Coming in we always knew it would have been a tough battle, but we got the result that we wanted and advanced to the quarter-finals.”

Belle said he was able to adjust to the challenging playing conditions during the game.

“It was a bit slippery but we had to adjust and come out and fight and work to get the result. We will head back to the training ground for more hard work as we prepare for the next opponent.”

At the quarter-final stage, Empire will play Brittons Hill, while Paradise face Pride of Gall, St Andrew Lions tackle Ellerton and defending champions Weymouth Wales will oppose Kickstart Rush in a repeat of last year’s final.

Earlier in the evening’s opening game, player of the match Kerisha Catlyn grabbed two goals as R.F Prime blanked Weymouth Wales 4-0 in the women’s competition.

R.F Prime have been enjoying a good season (Photo by: @theprimeministerscup)

That result saw them move up to second position in Group One on nine points behind leaders Paradise, who also have nine points but possess a better goal difference and have a game in hand.

Catlyn grabbed the opening goal in the second minute of the encounter as R.F Prime made the best possible start to the game.

Daphne Watson-James then doubled R.F Prime’s advantage in the 36th minute before Taryn Sutherland’s injury-time penalty put them in total control before half-time.

Catlyn’s second goal in the 60th minute completed an ultimately easy win for R.F Prime, who have now completed all of their group-stage games.

For Catlyn, it was a case of mission accomplished as she paid tribute to her teammates.

“If it wasn’t for them, I wouldn’t have scored any of the goals. Honestly, I just want to get to the finals. That’s the only thing that’s going on in my head.”

(KH)