Defence the key to end title drought - Bernard

Kingston College's Manning Cup coach, Ludlow Bernard, believes his side's emphasis on defence is what will enable 'the purples' to end their Manning Cup title drought this season.

The North Street-based team is yet to concede a goal in their five-match winning streak and Bernard believes it is their concentration on defence this season that sets this team apart from last year’s.

“We have placed some emphasis on defence this year. We are hoping to try and keep it that way (not conceding) for as long as possible,” Bernard told STAR Sports. “We have some work to do still.  The defence is not as air-tight as we would want it to be.”

KC has been making attempts to end their Manning Cup title drought for the past three seasons but have not able to advance beyond the semi-finals.

“The difference this year is that we believe more,” Bernard said. “We have trained and worked hard and we have some experience as well. This is an older team than last year’s team but there is a determination from this team to really come and do very well and we are hoping this time we can be third time lucky.”

Bernard’s boys have been cruising through the first round with victory margins of 8-0, 5-0,4-0,11-0 and 1-0.

Their smallest margin of victory (1-0) came in their last match against Mona High on Monday.

“They are by far the toughest opponents we have faced this season. It is a very competitive team and they really know their pitch so for us to come away with a victory is really good,” Bernard said.
 

KC last won the competition in 1986.