STGC cruise to 2-0 win over neighbours Holy Trinity

St George's College (STGC) were in cruise control in their opening game of the ISSA Manning Cup as they blanked Holy Trinity High 2-0 at Winchester Park yesterday.

Goals by Matthew Spence and Payton Larmond proved the difference between the two as STGC controlled much of the proceedings throughout.

STGC assistant coach Marcel Gayle said while he believed the team could have been more assertive on the ball, it is a positive start to their campaign which he believed will improve as the season goes along.

"Kudos to the guys, I thought they played well but I thought we could have been a little more assertive today in the final third. We created a lot of opportunities and the opponents sat deep and tried to force us to go long with the ball," he commented.

"We could have been a little more patient today but nevertheless, it is a start in the first round and the objective was met with three points and the clean sheet."

The hosts opened the scoring in the opening 10 minutes of the game as Spence showed his composure in front of goal and bagged his first of the season to the roar of the STGC faithfuls.

They attempted to press their advantage but found their efforts stymied by a disciplined Holy Trinity backline. STGC, however, sealed the win just past the hour mark. Spence's mistimed control in the box fell into the path of Larmond who made no mistake with a half volley across the face of the goal.

Despite the defeat Holy Trinity's coach Delano Campbell applauded his team's effort.

He said several of his players are eligible to play in the under-16 competition so he was impressed with their defensive discipline against a strong STGC outfit.

"There are a lot of positives as 90 per cent of our team are registered 'Colts' players. We started this programme from last year and coming here against semi-finalists like St George's at home, tactically the boys were really disciplined.

"Yeah we lost the game and that's something we have to accept but it is the first game of the season so we're looking to build again next time."

In other games, Hydel High and Jamaica College (JC) recorded identical 9-0 wins.

Hydel dismissed Ardenne High 9-0 to take early supremacy in Zone A while a Giovanni Taylor's hat-trick led the way in JC's 9-0 drubbing of Pembroke Hall High.

Clan Carthy High got the better of Eltham High 5-0 to open their season with a win while the fixture between Norman Manley High and St Catherine High was called off due to an unprepared field.

The game was counted as a forfeit in the favour of St Catherine High who were awarded an automatic 3-0 victory.