Quarterfinal round throws up early drama

Kingston College (KC) opened the quarterfinal round of the ISSA Manning Cup with a 2-1 victory over 10-man Mona High School in Group B action at Stadium East yesterday.

KC secured all three points courtesy of goals from Ryland Fray-Campbell in the second minute and Rodney Grandison in the 50th.

Despite the win, KC head coach Jermaine Miller felt his team made the contest more difficult than necessary by failing to capitalise on several chances.

“We knew it would be a difficult game. We came to a really good start, which we really wanted, but after taking the lead, I thought we had numerous opportunities to put the game away, and we just made it difficult for ourselves.”

K’Vonte Phipps’ 15th-minute equaliser ultimately proved to be no more than a consolation for Mona.

Both teams started brightly, with KC breaking the deadlock almost immediately. Fray-Campbell collected the ball out wide, cut inside, and unleashed a curling effort from outside the area that nestled in the top-left corner.

Mona responded in the 15th minute with an impressive goal of their own. Sean Leighton beat his marker on the flank before firing from a tight angle, forcing a save from the KC goalkeeper. However, the rebound fell kindly for Phipps, who rifled home a first-time volley from inside the box.

Mona’s task became significantly harder in the 22nd minute when Jermaine Morgan was sent off after receiving a second yellow card for a rash challenge on KC captain Kamaul Patterson.

KC restored their lead five minutes into the second half when Grandison, introduced at the break, converted from the penalty spot despite the goalkeeper diving the right way.

Mona were handed a golden opportunity to rescue a point late in the contest when they were awarded a penalty of their own, but Leighton’s effort crashed against the post.

Technical director Craig Butler was encouraged by Mona’s performance despite their numerical disadvantage for much of the match.

“We had a lot of chances, we had a penalty, and it’s ironic because I said this yesterday: who does not learn from his mistakes is destined to repeat them,” Butler said.

“I told Sean, don’t go for the post, don’t go for the corner, just go for the outstretched palm of the goalkeeper,” he continued.

“This is how we learn. This is youth football, and this is how we develop. I’m happy for the team, and they did well, and in truth and in fact, with 10 men, we were dominating the game.”

In the second match of the afternoon, defending champions Excelsior High and Wolmer’s Boys played to an entertaining 2-2 draw in Group A.

Wolmer’s created the better openings in the first half but failed to make them count, striking the crossbar and missing a penalty.

Those missed opportunities proved costly as Excelsior raced into a 2-0 lead through Rojawn Small and Habbie Mohammed, who scored in the 60th and 62nd minutes, respectively.

Wolmer’s mounted a late comeback, reducing the deficit through Kevaughn Halloway in the 83rd minute before Damar Smith netted the equaliser with the final kick of the game.

Elsewhere in Group A, Eltham High secured an important 1-0 victory over Calabar High, while Group B produced another thriller as St Andrew Technical High School (STATHS) and Jamaica College (JC) played out a 3-3 draw.

JC twice rallied from two goals down to earn a share of the points in a pulsating encounter.

Eltham lead Group A on three points, ahead of Excelsior and Wolmer’s on one point each, with Calabar yet to get off the mark.

The Group B standings are similarly poised, with KC atop the table on three points. STATHS and JC are level on one point, while Mona sit at the bottom without a point.

gregory.bryce@gleanerjm.com

Yesterday’s results

Mona 1-2 KC

Excelsior 2-2 Wolmer’s

Eltham 1-0 Calabar

STATHS 3-3 JC