JC lift inaugural LIME Super Cup

Jamaica College became the first winners of the LIME Super Cup, dubbed the Champions League of schoolboy football, when they defeated Holy Trinity High 2-0 at Sabina Park on Saturday. Two first half goals from Donovan Segree and Raffique Bryan was enough to secure the win for the defending Manning Cup champions who can rightfully claim the title as All-Island schoolboy football Champions.

JC beat Cornwall College, Hydel High and St. Elizabeth Technical on their way to the final where they came up against determined Holy Trinity that had gotten past the likes of Clarendon College, Garvey Maceo and Wolmer’s to arrive at arguably the biggest moment in football in the history of the school.

The True Blue started out the game quickly, getting into their opponents box within the first minute and Holy Trinity had to scramble the ball to safety before launching an attack of their own which had JC on the back foot.

The first shot towards goal came from Jevon Fuller who got the better of Hugh George Watson down the left flank before firing wide of the near post in the 6th minute.

Three minutes later Junior Flemmings made his way down the left flank and turned his marker inside out before crossing into the box. His effort was blocked behind for a corner kick, which had to be cleared off the line by Holy Trinity captain Kevan Eccleston.

The fast start to the game had the spectators on the edge of their seats as the horns echoed around a full Sabina Park stadium.

Tevin Rochester has been one of the leading players for Holy Trinity in this particular competition as he took control of the midfield as Holy Trinity gave JC a run for their money. His driving runs through midfield, time and time again had the JC defenders backing up with regularity.

Attacking mainly through the left side, the Devon Anderson coached team had the JC defenders working overtime as Shamar Smith, Rochester and Fuller exploited the space out on the left.

Realizing that they had a game on their hands, Flemmings dropped back into midfield to help wrestle control of the game back into JC’s favour.

Flemmings switched from the left side to the right and the moved paid dividends for the boys from Old Hope Road.
A skilful move from the JC skipper saw him get by his man on the bye line before crossing to the back post. The ariel presence of Bryan prevented the ball from going out of play and the ball then fell kindly to Segree, who powered home from close range to give JC the lead on 25 minutes.

Four minutes later Holy Trinity had a glorious chance to draw level when Chevon Bryan expertly brought down a ball from over the top, but he hesitated when he should have shot and was quickly closed down by the JC shot stopper, Courtney Dowie. This resulted in the shot going wide of the target.

The battle for control of the midfield continued between Sheldon McKoy of JC and Rochester of Holy Trinity but it was down the flank that JC would find more joy and through their inspirational captain once again.

Flemmings who had switched back to the left flank, fought off his marker before delivering the perfect ball across the face of the goal and a grateful Bryan was on hand to sweep it home to make it 2-0 in the 42nd minute.
A wait of approximately 20 minutes for spectators to clear the isles and take their seats in an overcrowded Sabina Park after the half time interval was the only blemish on a perfect day for football.

When the game eventually got back underway it took the players a while to get back into their rhythm. Rochester had two wild efforts shortly after the resumption as he desperately tried to get his team back into the contest.

JC seemed more content with protecting their lead than going into all out attack and Jordan Foote took advantage. The midfielder had room down the right hand side to work and took JC left back Shemar Robinson to the cleaners on more than one occasion.

With fifteen minutes left to play, a Renardo Nelson long pass from out of defence was brought under control by second half substitute Andre Leslie, but his shot could not match his control as he dragged his shot wide of the far post.

A minute later Flemmings responded for JC but he too missed the far post with a shot from the right hand side.

With twelve minutes left in the game Bryan produced a neat bit of skill to trick his way past two players inside the Holy Trinity box but his shot from his weaker right foot was easy for Antonio Millington to handle.

As time ticked away it was clear that the game was a bridge too far for Holy Trinity but they still had time to scare JC when the hard working Joel Sterling rifled a shot against the upright in the 90th minute.

JC then safely navigated four minutes of stoppage time to become the first to lay their hands on the beautiful trophy made of Swedish crystals.

Coach Miguel Coley was no doubt pleased to be the first coach to claim the prestigious prize.

“I think that we were very efficient and effective. We did the right things, especially in the first half. In the second half the legs were going. We lost concentration and were weren’t as comfortable on the ball and the Holy Trinity team didn’t make it easy for us.

“It’s a very skilful team and you have to be very organized to play against them. I think we did that, we did that very, very well. It’s a final so they came all out in the second half and we held our ground and could have scored more goals,” Coley explained.

Jamaica College will have a week to rest before their Manning Cup semi-final next Saturday.