Lime Hall beat Stets Elite 2-1 to reach Popeyes Challenge Cup third round

Lime Hall Academy moved into the third round of the 2026 Popeyes Challenge Cup on Tuesday, May 19, after defeating Stets Elite 2-1 at St Elizabeth Technical High School in Santa Cruz, St Elizabeth.

The round-two fixture was played in wet conditions after rain swept across the venue, but the surface held up and both teams created chances. Stets Elite, a side closely linked to the St Elizabeth Technical High School football programme, started with several players who had featured in schoolboy football, while Lime Hall represented St Ann.

Lime Hall took the lead in the first half through Diego McKenzie, who reacted quickest after goalkeeper Janoi Stedman failed to hold a delivery from Ronaldo Hanson. McKenzie, who had already scored twice in Lime Hall’s previous win over Wi-Fi United, added another important goal to his Challenge Cup tally.

Stets Elite had threatened before the opener. Kaheem Lewis missed a clear chance from close range and later struck the crossbar with a powerful free kick. Lime Hall went into halftime 1-0 ahead despite Stets enjoying strong spells.

The second half shifted when Lime Hall defender Denali Kelly was sent off after pulling back Kaheem Lewis near the penalty area. Stets made the numerical advantage count when Kenroy Banton got the finishing touch to bring the match level.

Lime Hall, however, responded through Carlos Campbell, whose run into the box drew a foul. Shaquille Cain converted the resulting penalty to restore Lime Hall’s lead. Stets pressed in the closing minutes, including four minutes of added time, but Lime Hall held on.

The final statistics showed 25 shots overall, with Stets taking 13 and Lime Hall 12. Lime Hall had six efforts on target to Stets’ four, while Stets finished with 57 per cent possession. Stets collected two yellow cards, Lime Hall one yellow and one red.

After the match, Stets coach Omar “Rambo” Wedderburn said the competition had been a useful platform for his young squad ahead of the schoolboy season. Lime Hall assistant coach Travis Irons praised his players for fighting through difficult conditions and said the St Ann club believed it could go further.