KC blank STETHS to claim first Super Cup title

Photo: Kingston College captain Javain Brown gets his hand on the ISSA/FLOW Super Cup trophy before his coach Ludlow Bernard. The team was all smiles after they became only the fourth school to win the coveted trophy when they beat St. Elizabeth Technical High School 3-0 at Sabina Park.

Rashawn ‘Puddy’ Mackison scored a brilliant hatrick as Kingston College overcame valiant St Elizabeth Technical High School to win the ISSA/Flow Super Cup final 3-0 at Sabina Park.

Macksion’s goals in the 6th, 43rd and 81st ensured the coveted trophy stays in the corporate area keeping the rural based schools at bay for at least another year. The current crop of KC players had shown glimpses of the magnificent  KC team that won their last Manning Cup title in 1986. Hence, they were ‘hell bent’ on taking home something for their efforts after missing out on the Manning Cup finals following thier loss to Jamaica College in the Walker Cup finals. 

The Ludlow Bernard coached team quickly unveiled their attacking threat starting the game ‘like a house on fire’, firing some long range shots from all parts of the park. In the 4th minute Ronaldo Robinson danced his way pass STETHS Nickjay White down the left flank but his wayward cross went harmlessly over the crossbar. 

Mackison, often pilloried by critics for over-playing this season, was the competition’s Golden Boot winner and Most Valuable Player (MVP). The first of his three goals came in the 6th minute when captain Javain Brown’s slightly over cooked pass fell in front of Mackison, Clifton Woodbine and STETHS goalkeeper Kenroy Wallace. Woodbine was shepherding the ball to his custodian when the persistent predator Mackison stuck a boot out through the legs of Woodbine to poke the ball into the gaping goal.

Kingston College stroked the ball around a lush green Sabina Park with alacrity much to the delight of the jubilant KC supporters as they settled quickly, enjoying plenty of early touches as STETHS struggled to get the ball. The opening goal settled the KC nerves and they began growing in confidence. The STETHS team played a high line and gave the KC unit too much space to get behind their back four. Despite starting very flat and falling a goal behind STETHS talisman Demar James should have equalized in the 10th minute after he took down a high ball expertly and found himself with acres of space behind KC’s defence but his powerfully struck shot went in the open arms of the goalkeeper Chadeen Rodriques. 

Renato Campbell wearing the iconic number 8 jersey, was a mirror image if the iconic number 8 of Barcelona FC Iniesta. His slick link up play with Mackison, Omar Thompson and Trey Bennet forced Woodbine into a last ditch tackle to clear his lines. 

More inventive work from Renato Campbell  again exposed STETHS shortly afterwards in 18th minute The 17 year-old turned Javed Richardson inside and out and played a lofty through ball to Omar Thompson. After he latched onto the ball Thompson took three long touches to get into the box but his effort was charged down by goalkeeper Wallace. It was evident at this stage of the contest that STETHS were still in first gear while KC was at full tilt. The STETHS team offered little work for the KC unit who had them chasing the ball like a mouse chasing cheese. 

KC continued to press and Wallace made a brilliant one-handed save to deny Mackison, who thought he had doubled the score with a swerving close-range strike, after being sent on his way by one of the star players on the night, Renato Campbell. 

His trickery and incisive runs hurt STETHS time and again, with center-back Nickjay White bearing the brunt of the youngster’s repertoire of skills.

Two minutes from the break Mackison’s superb first-half display was rewarded with a another goal. The marauding Ronaldo Robinson charged down the left flank in lightening quick pace and whipped in a sublime cross for the prolific Mackison, who could hardly do any wrong, to tap home from close range. KC maneuvered the ball crisply from left to right all evening. The goal was slightly unfortunate on STETHS who had blunted KC’s attacking threat for large periods while enjoying a few moments of their own.

A cleverly taken free kick caught KC flat in defence but James first time shot went high, wide and handsome. KC ended the first half with their tails high in their backs, with pride and joy knowing they had one hand on the trophy, while the STETHS team had their tails lapped between their legs trying to fathom what had taken place. 

The second half started with STETHS looking the brighter side but still was unable to find the back of the net. KC was slow out the blocks and was very lucky not to had given up a goal. Casseam Priestley was out cold during an off the ball incident and was rushed quickly to seek medical attention. He was replaced by Nathan ‘Kante’ Thomas. Thomas got  in the action immediately winning a tackle midway the half before rolling the ball neatly to Campbell who strolled forward having the STETHS back line back pedaling with options to either side, he went alone and gave up another glorious opportunity. 

KC slowly clawed their way back into the second half to get a grip of the game.  

The decisive third goal did eventually come in the 81st minute, and in emphatic style too.

Woodbine fouled substitute and crowd favorite Trayvone Reid after a jinking run down the left flank. The tricky Reid slowly picked himself up to take the resulting free kick. He rolled a teasing ball to the near post for the hatrick hero who was then in the right position to score KC’s third, sliding the ball home.

With the game now beyond STETHS reach, Bernard  made a few more substitutions to give as many players as possible a slice of the glory. STETHS  also had time to make a few substitution which did not affect the game as such.

But while their fans will have enjoyed their day out, the match itself and celebrations afterwards certainly belonged to KC as they wrapped up their first ever ISSA/FLOW Super Cup triumph. 

Coach: Omar wrdderburn “We looked like a crashed car out their today. We didn’t look like championship material and if we don’t look like championship material we can’t win championships. No disrespect to the guys but they don’t have what it takes to win a championship, it was proven in our last two finals. They players failed to follow instruction after and it cost us the finals.” The STETHS captain Chris-Andrew Dixon was too distraught to speak with the press.

Coach: Ludlow Bernard, “I am really glad Rashawn showed up when it matters most, since day one when I came to KC he has been my talisman. He had scored over 55  goals for KC. It’s unfortunate he is not taking home the big one (Manning Cup) but I am sure he is happy with what he is taking away from the cup finals.”

MVP and Golden Boot winner  Rashawn Mackison: “It’s a great feeling. Since the start of the competition I challenged myself to win the Golden Boot and here it showed today, 6 goals in three games. Before I took the pitch I told myself I am not going home empty handed. I am a little disappointed not making it to the Manning Cup finals but God knows best.” 

The organizers are now in the process of selecting two all-star teams for a one-day training session with coaches from many-time English Premier League champions Manchester United for next January. “We are selecting two All-Star teams from the eight Super Cup teams. We will be picking a first and second All Star via Facebook and social media. Those two teams will have a training session in January with Manchester United coaches.

“We have not selected the venue as yet, but Manchester United coaches will be in Jamaica for a full day session on a date to be finalised in January. The teams will play a game after the session, and it will be online, courtesy of FLOW,” FLOW’s Vice-President of Marketing, Carlo Redwood, noted.