Jamaica College(JC) edged fierce rivals Kingston College (KC) 1-0 as action got under way in the second round if the ISSA/LIME Manning Cup on Friday October 25 at the Constant Spring Mini-Stadium.
Jamaica College(JC) edged fierce rivals Kingston College (KC) 1-0 as action got under way in the second round if the ISSA/LIME Manning Cup on Friday October 25 at the Constant Spring Mini-Stadium.
Cheered on by a large contingent of supporters from their schools both teams set about claiming three critical points to help secure their passage to the semifinals.
It was Kingston College who got the first effort on target when Kashane Jones stung the finger tips of Sherrick Davis in the JC goal in the 10th minute, with a rasping drive that the keeper did well to tip over for a corner.
The game , which was slow to build up, saw JC come close when Stefan Logan headed a free kick into the ground and the ball bounced just over the top of the cross bar midway the first half.
KC had managed to contain the free flowing football normally seen from JC by clogging the midfield with 5 players and limiting the effect of star player Junior Flemmings. KC’s Savian Maxwell was taking full advantage of a rare start to put in a good performance in the middle of the park for the ‘Purples’.
Neither team was able to make a lot happen in the attacking third as they were particularly wasteful in the middle of the field.
KC’s captain Allan Morgan produced a got bit of skill to create and opportunity for Jones in the 38th minute but the striker miscontrolled on the penalty spot and the chance went a begging.
Flemmings had two contributions at the end of the first half, first when he headed straight into the arms of Akim Larmond in the KC goal, then when he hit the post in first half stoppage time.
The ‘True Blue’ team had definitely ended the first half in the ascendency.
Just four minutes after the restart Flemmings could have put his team ahead but chose to pass instead of shoot with Larmond out of position.
Larmond was called into action in the 54th minute when he had to dive at the feet of Sheldon McKoy to block the striker’s effort.
Five minutes later Larmond was at it again this time saving well with his legs to deny Flemmings who had outpaced the KC defense before shooting to the far post.
On the very next play, Larmond went down with a leg injury as JC secured a corner. The game resumed after the player received treatment and Flemmings was on hand to nod home at the far post in the 62nd minute and give his team a 1-0 lead.
Second half substitute Chevaun Blake was on target in the 68th minute for KC but Davis did well to save.
Larmond was again at the centre of the action in the 77th minute, coming to the edge of his area to block another Flemmings effort. The pace of the JC striker was proving to be a serious challenge for the KC defenders.
At the end of 90 minutes JC ran out deserved 1-0 winners as they banished the memory of the shock loss to Excelsior in the Walker Cup.
Photo: Battle of the #9’s …Allan Morgan of KC and Ramone Howell of JC battle for possession in their Manning Cup game
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