Excelsior demolition job gives STATHS sole control

ST ANDREW Technical High School (STATHS) have taken sole control of Zone D in the ISSA/Digicel Manning Cup after thwarting the challenge of Excelsior High School in a one-sided top-of-the-table clash at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex yesterday.

Goals from Leon Brown in the second and 68th minutes of play, Kalonji Watson in the 47th, and Andre Salmon in the 70th, paved the way for a 4-1 demolition job. Substitute Kivann Salmon scored Excelsior’s consolation in the 75th minute.

On paper it was supposed to be a thrilling encounter with Excelsior and STATHS putting unbeaten records on the line, only for one-way traffic to ensue almost from the start.

Brown would open the scoring from STATHS’ very first attack, slamming home his effort on the back of a solo run.

STATHS doubled their lead in similar fashion, through their first attack of the second half, this time Watson producing a wonder strike that left Excelsior’s goalkeeper, Jadavin Waul, in a state of shock.

Brown, who was relentless in attack, was just rewarded when the skilful striker netted his 10th of the season in the 68th minute. Kevin Hall was the orchestrator on this occasion, easing past a couple of Excelsior defenders before leaving an assist on a plate for Brown.

4-0 WIN

Victory was signed, sealed and delivered in the 70th minute with Salmon getting in on the action, his calm and composed left-footed effort to send his team 4-0 is up.

Phillip Williams, head coach of STATHS, was a pleased man.

“Everything was pleasing today, as I think that all departments were solid. Excelsior really pushed us so that we could get a good feel in terms of our tactics and if it is working. There isn’t much that we think that needs to be corrected, but it’s a work in progress and we have to be consistently good every day,” Williams explained.

Keon Broderick, head coach of Excelsior, while disappointed with the result, is cognisant that these are early days.

“Yes, I’m disappointed but it’s early days and you don’t win the Manning Cup in the first round. We now have to look at the mistakes that we made and try to correct them moving forward. Whenever you’re playing against a quality team like St Andrew Technical, who possess the ball well, it forces you to get back. That is something that we have to work on, in terms of the bravery within the team but this is the first quality team that we’ve played,” said Broderick.

orane.buchanan@gleanerjm.com

Other Results

Cumberland 0-7 Tivoli

Holy Trinity 0-6 St Catherine

STATHS 4 -1 Excelsior

Campion 1-0 Waterford

Vauxhall 1-1 Ascott

St Jago 3-4 Papine

Donald Quarrie 0-4 Wolmer’s