Manning's surprise Rusea's

Adrian Frater, News Editor

Western Bureau :

Zone E champions Manning's School created the first big upset of the 2010 Ben Francis Knockout Football Competition yesterday afternoon when they surprised many-time champions and Zone B kingpins Rusea's 2-1 in their first-round fixture at Jarrett Park, Montego Bay.

In other first-round games played yesterday, Zone J winners Old Harbour High School clipped their Zone K counterparts Buff Bay 1-0, Zone B winners Marcus Garvey had a comfortable 4-0 win over Zone D winners St Mary Technical High School, while Manchester High upstaged Clarendon College 5-4 on penalties after battling to a 1-1 stalemate in regulation and extra time.

In the game at Jarrett Park, the Aaron Lawrence-coached Manning's turned in a clinical performance to snatch victory, courtesy of second-half goals by Lenworth Pryce and Delano Foster. Rusea's lone goal, which was an absolute beauty, came from the head of a diving Anthony Walker.

"We put a lot of preparation into getting ready for this game and we came here today quite confident that we would have won," said Lawrence, who is a former Rusea's goalkeeper. "There is no time to celebrate as we now have to go home and get ready for the St James game on Saturday."

In the first half, both teams played quite well but despite creating a few chances, they both failed to get on the scoresheet, due more to faulty finishing than any exemplary work by the defenders at opposite ends.

The second half started with Manning's again looking the more composed team. After several close misses, they finally took the lead in the 78th minute through a dazzling dribble through the heart of the Rusea's defence by Dino Williams. His subsequent pass to Pryce was calmly slotted home.

Rusea's stormed back in the 83rd minute with a brilliant strike. Walker pounced on a low cross before the goal and his diving header gave the goalkeeper no chance, crashing into the back of the net to make the score 1-1.

Cracking shot

With both teams all out in attack, Manning's regained the lead in the 87th minute. A pass found Foster unmarked before the goal and with several Rusea's players appealing for offside, he unleashed a cracking shot which whistled past the goalkeeper, making the final score 2-1.

"I must commend Manning's on their performance but I have my doubts about that second goal," said Rusea's coach, Anthony 'Follies' Williams. "I hope this defeat will be a wake-up call for this team because we still believe we will go very far in the daCosta Cup."

In tomorrow's quarter-final games, Old Harbour will oppose Zone L champions Paul Bogle, Marcus Garvey will battle reigning daCosta Cup champions St Elizabeth Technical High School, Manchester High School will battle reigning champions Glenmuir, and giant-killers Manning's will take on St James High School.