Hydel, JC strengthen chances

Jermaine Lannaman, Gleaner Writer

Jamaica College (JC) and Hydel High moved into pole position in Group I to advance to the semi-finals of the ISSA/Gatorade/Digicel Manning Cup football competition after recording convincing 3-0 and 5-0 wins, respectively, over Kingston College and Denham Town at Constant Spring yesterday.

JC and Hydel are on four points after two matches, with the former having a plus three goal difference and the latter a plus five heading into Saturday's final round of matches.

KC, who lead the group heading into yesterday's action, are next on three points with a goal differential of minus two, while Denham Town are at the bottom without a point.

opening fixture

In yesterday's feature, JC, who drew 0-0 with Hydel in their opening fixture, were led to victory on goals from national Under-17 captain, forward Junior Flemmings, Malique Foster and Kevin Blackwood.

Flemmings opened the scoring via a penalty in the fourth minute, before Malique Foster made it 2-0 via a header at the back post in the 17th. The other goal was netted in the 56th minute by Kevin Blackwood, whose deflected shot from outside the area wrong-footed goalkeeper Obrian Duncan.

"It was one of our best matches of the season," said JC assistant coach Delroy Brown.

"We dominated much of the game and to score three goals against a KC in this round really speaks volumes to how the team is maturing."

Hydel, in the meantime, were led to victory on a double from Patrick Okonkwo in the 25th and 29th minutes, Horlando Palmer in the 32nd, Errol McNeil in the 74th and Taffarell Crossdale in the 77th.

"Credit to the boys; they played well today and deserve all the praise that they can get," said Hydel's coach, Geoffrey Maxwell.

"It's now down to the final round of matches where a win will be our primary focus," added Maxwell.