St Jago coach rues wasted opportunities

Jermaine Lannaman, Gleaner Writer

St Jago High's coach Jermaine Thomas says a lack of goalscorers was the main reason why his team could not break into the second round of the ISSA/Gatorade/Digicel Manning Cup.

The boys from Monk Street in Spanish Town, who got off to a fairly good start this season, could not convert the numerous chances that they created in subsequent matches, and in the end, had to settle for third place in Group D behind defending champions Jamaica College and Camperdown.

"It's painful to stand and see what happened here today and has been happening to us all season," said Thomas, shortly after his team's surprise 1-0 loss to minnows Cumberland at Cumberland on Friday.

Goalscoring problems

"We had a team that could have at least got to the semi-finals, but for one reason or another, goalscoring was a major problem.

"Every game we created numerous amount of scoring chances, but just could not convert," he declared.

The result, which was secured after Desmond Malcolm scored in the 44th minute, gave Cumberland their first win of the season after nine previous attempts.

Played in front of a handful of spectators, the game failed to entertain and had it not been for Malcolm's strike, both team's would have entered the break disappointed.

St Jago tried to rally in the second, however, they were denied by fairly good defending and faulty shooting, thus giving the Portmore-based Cumberland much to cheer about at the end of the whistle.

Good season end

"It's a positive result and a good way to end the season," said Cumberland coach Brian Spencer.

"We played a season with players 14 years old and younger, and though we lost most of our matches it was a good experience. It augurs well for next year, and the year after, when we will be looking to come back and contend for at least a second-round placing.

"In fact, 90 per cent of players can play Under-16 this year, and we are looking forward to doing well in that competition," he declared.

St Jago ended with 13 points and three-wins, two-draws and five-losses, while Cumberland finished with one win, one draw and eight losses.