George's fantastic fightback stuns KC

Robert Bailey, Sunday Gleaner Writer

Defending champions St George's College pulled off one of the greatest comebacks in recent memory in the Manning Cup before packed stands at Constant Spring Sports Complex yesterday.

The famed 'Light Blues' of North Street came from three goals down early in the second half to defeat arch-rivals and neighbours Kingston College (KC) 4-3 in their opening second-round Group Two match of the Inter-Secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA)/Pepsi/Digicel-sponsored competition.

Jhuvon Francis (58th), substitute Kendon Anderson (66th), Romario Jones (74th) and Rohan Roye (88th) netted the goals for the Neville 'Bertis' Bell-coached St George's. Jerginho James (24th) Romario Williams (52nd) and Tavol Whittaker (57th) scored KC's goals.

In the group's other game which was also played at the same venue, Jamaica College (JC), led by second-half goals from Nicholas Scott (77th) and captain Ashani Walker defeated Bridgeport 2-0.

In the feature match, KC began confidently and took the lead when James unleashed a torrid right-footed 22-yard free kick past custodian Nico Campbell. Williams doubled KC's lead seven minutes into the second period with a point-blank header past Campbell. With KC riding high, Whittaker scored the purple and white-clad team's third goal five minutes later, past Campbell, who was well beaten at his near post.

However, Francis brought St George's back into the match in the 58th minute as he volleyed home a right-sided cross from Roye to cut the deficit to 3-1. Anderson scored the 'Light Blues' second goal eight minutes later, past goalkeeper Marc Anthony Harvey.

The fleet-footed Jones equalised for the 'Light Blues' when he tapped home a cross from Devon Williams. Roye, who made the switch from KC to St George's at the start of the season, clinched the victory two minutes from full time.

Coach delighted

Bell, whose team is seeking their third consecutive on the trophy, said he was very delighted with his team's performance.

"We have been doing this for a while because at three-nil down I thought we were gone, but this team is a very resilient one because we are all fighters," said Bell.

"I don't think we should have given up three goals, but I am happy we were able to come back and win the game and I must thank God for that," Bell said.

Trevor 'Jumpy' Harris, coach of KC, said: "I think that complacency set in because we thought we had the game won. We gave up a soft goal and then from there on things just got from bad to worse for us."

After the opening game, Delroy Brown, assistant coach of JC, said his team played below par but they got the three points and the goals they needed.

Brown added: "I think we didn't play well in the first half, but we came out in the second half and we scored two goals, and this is the important thing for us."

Scott netted JC's first when he fired home from close range past goalkeeper Herbert Johnson. Walker sealed the victory in the dying moments of the match with a spectacular 25-yard effort, which went like a rocket past Johnson.