Latest News
JC put KC to the sword
November 13, 2024
Jamaica College (JC) struck a massive blow against title rivals Kingston College (KC) in the ISSA Manning Cup football quarterfinals yesterday, routing the 'Purples' 3-0 in a thrilling showdown at Stadium East.
In a match between schools that have shared 47 Manning Cup titles, the fixture had been one of the most anticipated of the season and fans were left entertained after an impressive first-half display by JC.
Nashordo Gibbs opened the scoring for JC in the 20th minute as he converted from the penalty spot.
Gibbs, who once donned the purple of KC, was the architect of the second goal as he played in Jamoy Dennis who made no mistake from inside the box to double the lead in the 30th minute.
Dennis would complete the rout just two minutes later as KC's defence was caught out by a free kick set play, which allowed Dennis time to fire into the roof of the net from close range.
Davion Ferguson, JC's technical director, praised his team for overcoming a difficult KC unit who had entered the fixture high on confidence.
He said the win was due to their work in researching how KC have been playing this season and finding the gaps in their team.
"We understand the competition in terms of how to prepare to peak at the right time," Ferguson explained.
"Today though was a difficult game. The scoreline might make it seem like the game was easy but it was a difficult game because we played three days ago and the key was just getting these boys recovered and come here to really deliver a performance."
He added, "We've watched them a few times in our video review sessions and we saw some gaps. We wanted to give them a surprise so we made a few tactical adjustments in the first half and also in the second half."
SHOCK DEFEAT
Defending champions Mona High suffered a shock defeat yesterday when they were defeated 3-1 by Tivoli Gardens High.
Mona would have entered the match high on confidence as Tivoli were dismantled in their last outing, a 5-0 drubbing at the hands of KC, but the champions were left flummoxed as Tivoli bounced back to winning ways in style.
Also bouncing back from a defeat, Campion College edged the high-flying Excelsior High 2-0 as they recovered from their 2-0 defeat to St Catherine High on Friday.
In a twist of fate, St Catherine suffered their first defeat of the season, falling 2-0 to Hydel.
Yesterday's results mean JC have now taken control of Group A leading into the final round of the quarterfinal matches with four points, while KC and Tivoli Gardens sit second and third, respectively, with three points each. KC have a superior goal difference.
Mona High are on the brink of elimination as they sit at the foot of the table with just a point.
It is a similar storyline in Group B as Hydel High lead the way with four points, with St Catherine (superior goal difference) and Campion sitting second and third, respectively, with three points each.
Excelsior sit fourth with one point from their two games.
