SNOW HILL, Portland — Happy Grove High School clipped Titchfield High 2-1 in their opening game of the 2015 ISSA/Flow daCosta Cup competition at Snow Hill on Saturday.

Happy Grove’s goals were scored by Sandre Phipps in the 15th minute and Chechovaron Llewellyn (41st), while Joel Burke-Green replied for Titchfield in the 38th minute.

Happy Grove, playing under new Coach Carl Brissett, started the contest cautiously, but came to bloom later with an offensive onslaught led by Sandre Phipps, Omar Walters, and Javere Blake.

Titchfield, not to be outdone, countered through Joel Burbe-Green, Brandon Brown, and Marcell Holness.

Happy Grove took the lead from a defensive error as custodian Glenroy Osbourne failed to hold onto the ball, while an alert Phipps latched onto the ball and drove home for the lead.

Titchfield got their equaliser when Burke-Green received a ball just inside the penalty area and fired past custodian Maurice Johnson.

But before the celebrations died down, Happy Grove restored their lead when Phipps crossed the ball into the penalty to Llewellyn who climbed high to head home.

In a desperate bid to salvage something from the game, Titchfield launched a series of late raids, but their efforts failed to bear fruit.

— Everard Owen