Frome too good for Rusea’s

Javonnie Whyte scored twice as Frome Technical rallied from behind to defeat Rusea’s High 4-2 in their ISSA daCosta Cup Zone B clash at the Collin Miller Sports Complex in Lucea yesterday.

In a highly anticipated encounter, Rusea’s needed less than a minute to break the deadlock when Omarion Jemmison fired home to give the hosts an early lead.

Frome responded in the ninth minute when Wayne Mullings converted from the penalty spot to level the score but Rusea’s regained the lead four minutes later through Maliek Headed.

Whyte then evened the score for Frome before the break, setting up a tense second half.

The visitors eventually completed the comeback in the 75th minute when Whyte outran the Rusea’s defenders and calmly slotted home to complete his brace. Frome sealed victory in the 88th minute when Tarique Maxwell rose to head home a cross.

The win lifted Frome to the top of Zone B on 10 points from three wins and a draw, while Rusea’s slipped to second on nine points from three wins and a loss.

Frome coach Cleighton Stephens said his team embraced the “second-half team” label and delivered when it mattered most.

“They said we’re a second-half team, so because of that, we had no problem. We did the job in the second half and played harder. “

Despite their efforts, Rusea’s were unable to hold on to their early advantage and suffered their first defeat of the campaign.

Rusea’s manager Craig Butler said the team would use the setback as an opportunity to refocus on playing within their system and as a cohesive unit.

“Sometimes it’s better to lose early in the competition, so you can identify a fault, remove the hubris that may exist in the team, and come back strong, and then you can be champions,” said Butler.

“I think that sometimes when you perform really well, it’s important to remain humble. It’s important to understand the ball is round,” added Butler.

Yesterday’s results

Irwin 2-1 Spot Valley

St James 2-0 Cambridge

Rusea’s 2-4 Frome Technical

Knockalva 5-0 Grange Hill

York Castle 1-2 Brown’s Town

Bellefield 1-1 Vere Tech

Edwin Allen 1-0 Alphansus Davis

Holmwood 0-3 Knox College

Yallas 2-1 Fair Prospect