FAIR PROSPECT High became the second qualifier from Group L (a) of the ISSA/Pepsi/Digicel daCosta Cup schoolboy football competition after they knocked off contenders Happy Grove High in a 2-0 thriller in their top-of-the-table matchup at Hectors River on Saturday.

In the other group match, Port Antonio High edged neighbours Titchfield 2-1 at Carder Park.

Saturday's results established Port Antonio as the clear leaders with an unassailable 19 points from seven matches. They have one first-round match remaining against cellar dwellers Buff Bay tomorrow.

Fair Prospect have 11 points from six games and with two matches remaining against Titchfield and Buff Bay, respectively, they could claim the other qualifying spot in the group. Their chances are quite strong as Happy Grove, with nine points and one outstanding game, failed to gain a point in their last two outings.

25-yard free kick

Fair Prospect's first goal came from Sadri Brooks through a free kick from about 25 yards at the fourth minute. He brilliantly floated the ball over the Happy Grove goalkeeper, Cranston Powell, who was off his line.

Horace Facey, unmarked at the edge of the box, finished off a pass from Dwon Blair in the 23rd minute to double the score.

"The boys came out today (Saturday) and followed my instructions to the bone, playing brilliant football knowing well that Happy Grove had given us an easy gateway after their loss to Port Antonio midweek," said Damien Grant, Fair Prospect's coach.

Gary Dinal, the disappointed Happy Grove coach, praised the efforts of his opponents and wished them well as ambassadors of the group.