Manning Cup champs make light work of Walker Cup opener

Defending Manning Cup champions Excelsior High School opened their Walker Cup campaign in dominant fashion yesterday, hammering Kingston Technical 7-0 at the Excelsior High field.

A hat trick from talisman Habbie Mohammed (20th, 37th, 70th) led the way for the Eagles, supported by goals from Rivaldo Murray (10th, 44th), Ricardo Clue (62nd) and Nicwayne Patrick (73rd).

Head coach Keon Broderick was delighted with the performance.

“I think the performance was good. It was what we expected as it relates to how the boys would have executed in the game,” Broderick said. “Coming out here in the first game and scoring seven goals while keeping a clean sheet is something we have to be confident and feel good about.”

Excelsior looked every bit the champions, taking control from the opening whistle. Murray opened the scoring in the 10th minute, rising highest to head home a corner. Mohammed doubled the lead in the 20th with a fierce strike from inside the box, before slotting home his second after a slick passing move.

Murray added his brace just before half-time, capitalising on a mistake from Kingston Technical goalkeeper Daniel Walker, who failed to clear his lines.

The second half followed a similar script. Substitute Clue made it 5-0 in the 62nd minute with a curling effort, before Mohammed completed his hat trick 10 minutes later with a looping header. Patrick rounded off the rout in the 73rd minute after being played through by Dongel Hutchinson.

Kingston Technical head coach Donovan Lofters admitted the gulf in class was evident but said the match offered valuable lessons.

“It is something that we can build on because we played against the Manning Cup champions and they are a confident team,” Lofters said. “I hope it’s something I can use to motivate them and grow. We have two matches to go in the Manning Cup and we’re fighting for third place. That is our aim and I think we can achieve that.”

Lofters pointed to maturity and experience as the key differences between the sides.

“They are mature and they have been here before while my team is brand new. Everything I’m teaching them is brand new,” he explained. “I tried to use a low block today just to limit the space but they don’t understand pressing triggers as yet. But they are learning and it is something they can build on.”

With the victory, Excelsior advanced to the second round of the Walker Cup, while Kingston Technical bowed out of the competition.

gregory.bryce@gleanerjm.com