Adrian Frater, News Editor

Grange Hill's Eldene Elliott (left) battling away with Rusea's Worrick Pinnock during yesterday's Ben Francis Cup KO semi-final between the two teams at Jarrett Park, in Montego Bay. Rusea's won the game 1-0. - ADRIAN FRATER

WESTERN BUREAU:

A first-half strike by André Atkinson gave Rusea's a 1-0 win over Grange Hill in the semi-final of the Ben Francis Cup Knockout yesterday at Jarrett Park in Montego Bay.

The other semi-final at Brancourt between Dinthill and Garvey Maceo was washed out and has been rescheduled for Saturday.

"We came here expecting a tough game, but we knew that once we applied ourselves well we would win," said Rusea's coach Anthony 'Follies' Williams. "Our next step is to win the final and then turn our attention back to winning the daCosta Cup as well."

In the game at Jarrett Park, which promised to be an epic affair, the teams started off slowly, looking quite tentative going forward.

In fact, the first positive move did not come until the ninth minute when Rusea's created an opening through Horace Maxwell but he booted wide from close range.

Rusea's came close again in the 20th minute when they won a free-kick close to the edge of the penalty area. However, Garfield Duncan curled the ball straight at the goalkeeper.

Three minutes later, Grange Hill got a fine break when Ronaldo Jowehill got away before goal but lost out to the advancing goalkeeper.

With action swinging from end to end, Rusea's took the lead in the 30th minute. Atkinson won possession on the edge of the penalty area with his back turned to the goal.

He juggled the ball around in a shooting position and then fired past the helpless goalkeeper, making the score 1-0.

Finding themselves behind, Grange Hill changed gear and began looking ominous as they went in search of the equaliser.

They should have pulled level in the 43rd minute when Ryan Gayle dribbled through the heart of Rusea's defence, but fired straight at the goalkeeper.

The second half started with Rusea's wasting a glorious opportunity in the 47th minute. Roydel Moncrieffe worked himself into a good position but, with a clear shot on goal, he fumbled badly and allowed the goalkeeper to leave his line and gather the ball safely.

Rusea's wasted another opportunity in the 52nd minute when Atkinson dribbled around two defenders and got inside the goal area but, from an acute angle, elected to shoot instead of passing the ball and his shot crashed into the side netting.

Midway through the half, Grange Hill again went into overdrive and just missed drawing level in the 75th minute. Jowehill took on the Rusea's defence with a brash dribble but as he was closing in on the goalkeeper a defender dispossessed him with a sharp tackle.