Michael McLean, Star Writer

Zone E winners Lacovia High advanced to the next round of the ISSA/Pepsi/Digicel Ben Francis Knockout, following a 2-1 win over Manchester High at St Elizabeth Technical High School (STETHS) in Santa Cruz yesterday.

The Lance Morgan-coached Lacovia team, which surprised many by winning their zone over traditional kingpins STETHS and Munro, scored both goals in the second half.

Quite satisfied

Supersub Javid Morris, who came on for Chevez Channer early in the second half, got Lacovia's first goal in the 77th minute and set up Delandrew Stevens for the second in the 88th minute.

The Barry Watson coached-Manchester team played better in the first half and were more in control until Lacovia started playing better in the last 20 minutes when they got their goals.

Coach Morgan was quite satisfied with the result and said he is very confident going into the next game.

"Overall, I thought Manchester played a better first half, but we were not outplayed by them. I would say they were more in control but we made a number of changes and played a more patient game and this produced the goal for us," Morgan said.

Looking ahead to their next game with either St James or Rusea's High, Morgan said:

"We are very confident going into the next game and we can't be afraid of those tough teams, that's my philosophy. I am not afraid of any team. Any team come, we just have to go out there and work hard to win the game."

A disappointed Watson commended the Lacovia team for the win and said his opponent was hungrier.

"I must commend the Lacovia team because I figured they wanted it more than us and played with more urgency than us," said Watson.