KC wilted against Waterford in Manning Cup

This Manning Cup report is brought to you by: Ensure Active Muscle

Kingston College continued to struggle in the ISSA/LIME Manning Cup competition when they were beaten 4-2 by Waterford High at Cloverly Park on Tuesday. KC was playing their first game since the sacking of Lenny Hyde following the humiliating 7-0 defeated to neighbours St. Georges College on Saturday.

The “Purples” started the game very nervously and Waterford took advantage to score in the third minute when Anthony Seymore fired home through a crowd of players inside the box.

KC tried their best to respond but was caught flatfooted on a free kick on the edge of the area and Shane Watson had a simple side foot finish to make it 2-0 with just 8 minutes on the clock.

The KC fans had something to cheer about shortly after when captain Kashane Jones pulled one back when he fired into the corner of the net to make it 2-1 a minute later.

Spurred on by the home support, KC took control of the midfield and pushed back their opponents as they went in search of an equalizer. They had a huge penalty shout turned down in the 38th minute.

Waterford defended stoutly and went into the break leading 2-1.

Not daunted by the overwhelming home support, Waterford came out on the attack in the second half and was rewarded for their industry when they went further ahead through Javaughn Jones in the 52nd minute.

Any hope of KC getting back in the contest was dashed when Watson scored his second of the game. Watson managed to outpace the KC defence before firing through the legs of the keeper Trevaughn Brown to make it 4-1 in the 67th minute.

To their credit the KC team kept fighting and should have gotten a goal back when Lincoln Henry got past a defender on the byline before passing to Jerome Coombs on the penalty. An unmarked Coombs somehow managed to shoot wide of the goal.

The hard working Henry got his name on the score sheet when he poked home from close range to make it 4-2 in the 89th minute.

Waterford coach Jermaine Thomas was pleased with his team’s showing. “It was important for us to finish strongly even though we don’t have our fate in our own hands. Now we just have to wait and see the outcome of the game between KC and Campion.”

Neil Harrison who was standing in his first game in charge of KC said “I think the boys are still recovering from the 7-0 loss to St. Georges College. We are trying to adjust to a new system and getting to know each other at the same time. We will need to work really hard to get it right.”

KC will play Campion in a rescheduled game on Thursday to determine who goes through from Group A along with group winners St. Georges College.