KC back in the hunt for silverware

Dethroned ISSA/WATA Manning Cup champions Kingston College (KC) waltzed into the quarter-finals of the Walker Cup knockout competition with a 4-1 come-from-behind victory over St Jago High at the Stadium East field yesterday.

KC were led to victory courtesy of a double from Shareef Ricketts in the 44th and 65th minutes. Jamal Fraser (13th) and Jaeshawn Edwards (43rd) were the other goalscorers for the Vassell Reynolds – coached KC. Tahir Edwards scored for St Jago in the fourth minute.

Reynolds, who admitted that they are still very disappointed with their elimination from the Manning Cup, said he was pleased with the team’s result.

“This is a good rebound from the disappointment that we had having lost out on the Manning Cup,” he said.

“The boys were a bit down a few days after the exit, but we had good sessions coming into this one, and the boys stuck to the task and gave a good performance to come away with the desired result.”

Reynolds added that despite going down 0-1 early in the match, he was not too concerned because he was confident his team would have come back to win the game.

“We were pretty confident based on what we would see after conceding that goal, that we would have had a good chance of getting back into the game. We did that soon after, and from there we went on to dominate the game for the victory,” he said.

Edwards, who was one of St Jago’s best players on the field, gave his team a surprise lead when he fired home from the penalty spot. However, Fraser gave KC the equaliser when he collected a pass out of midfield before dribbling around two defenders to fire home past St Jago’s custodian.

KC went on to dominate the remainder of the first period and were rewarded with the go-ahead goal when Ricketts arrived at the near post to tap home from close range for a 2-1 halftime lead.

Byfield, who has been outstanding for KC this season, increased his team’s advantage midway through the second period before Fletcher wrapped up the win for the Purples nine minutes from full time. In the second match of the double-header, Mona also sealed their place in the quarter-finals with a competitive 4-2 victory over St George’s College.

In another Ben Francis encounter, St Catherine High and Campion College played out a 4-4 draw in what was possibly the most exciting game of the round. St Catherine joined Mona and KC in the quarters by virtue of a 4-2 penalty shoot-out victory.

Tivoli Gardens High School are also through to the quarter-final round of the Ben Francis Cup after they handed Wolmer’s Boys’ School a 4-2 defeat.

Meanwhile, in the lone Manning Cup Game from Group A, Excelsior increased their chances of advancing to the semi-finals of the competition with a 3-1 victory over Hydel.

The victory moved Excelsior to second place on three points, the same as Charlie Smith but ahead on goal difference. Jamaica College, who are through to the semi-finals of the competition, lead the standings with six points, while Hydel are bottom of the table on zero.

Walker Cup Results

KC 4-1 St Jago

Mona 4-2 STGC

Tivoli 4-2 Wolmer’s

St Catherine 4-4 Campion (4-2 Pens)

Manning Cup Results

Hydel 1-3 Excelsior