Excelsior hit Dunoon for six

A second half onslaught, fuelled by a brace from substitute Onando Calame, helped Excelsior High to dispatch Dunoon Technical 6-1 in their 2021 ISSA Manning Cup game yesterday at Jamaica College's Ashenheim Stadium. It was Excelsior's first win of the season. They were beaten 2-1 by Tivoli High last Friday.

Two years ago head coach Xavier Gilbert was at Dinthill Technical and guided the team to a daCosta Cup final appearance. Having been previously involved with the programme and the school, Gilbert said that it felt like a good homecoming, working with young players he has seen develop.

"It's good to be working with these young men. I have taught most of them and worked with most of them with the Under-14s. It's good to know that we are impacting them," Gilbert told STAR Sports. "This is still a young and inexperienced team. Hopefully, we can go as far as we can."

Tyrieke Spaulding opened the scoring in the 35th minute for Excelsior, tapping home from close range at the back post. However, Excelsior's concentration was found wanting when a through pass found Dunoon's Omar Robinson who finished calmly in the 44th minute, rewarding their persistence after falling behind.

Excelsior only needed eight minutes after the break to respond as Spaulding managed to find Shackor Geneson who fired Excelsior back into the lead in the 52nd minute, starting a relentless assault on the Dunoon goal.

Calame scored in the 78th and 91st minutes and as well as other substitutes Nickalia Fuller (86th minute) and Sheldon Butler (87th minute) to seal the points.

Dunoon head coach Jahmai Pettigrew lamented his team's lack of effort after conceding the second goal

"It's a tough one to take after half-time at 1-1. I think we ran out of legs, poor concentration, tiredness. We gave up a couple goals and the players just totally gave up and that is not the Dunoon spirit," Pettigrew said.