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Manning’s rally to win rural U16 title - Glenmuir secure U14 crown
December 18, 2024
The Manning's School, commonly referred to as 'Blue Bloods', rallied to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat in a 3-2 win over Clarendon College to crown themselves champions of the 2024 ISSA/Mighty Malt rural under-16 title at St Elizabeth Technical High School yesterday.
Earlier in the afternoon, Glenmuir took home their second 2024 ISSA/Burger King rural Under-14 title when they clipped first-time finalists Manchester High 1-0.
In the under-16 game, which was evenly balanced, Clarendon looked more organised in the first half as Manning's struggled to find a rhythm.
Clarendon took an early lead in the 13th minute courtesy of a goal by Justin Hayles.
Clarendon doubled their lead at the 51st minute through a header from Lashaun Harris.
However, Manning's found a boost of energy, exhibiting more composure and control as they pegged their way back with a goal in the 59th minute when Rajon McKenzie scored a header from a corner to make things interesting.
The boys of Chapelton showed their defensive prowess for long periods, but the Blue Bloods would not back down and kept attacking. In the 76th minute, they got their reward as Dainton Williams levelled the scores at 2-2.
Then in the 78th minute, Geovanni Pinnock scored to secure the victory.
HEART
With back-to-back titles, Kevin Williams, the school's head coach, said it required guts and determination to get the job done.
"At halftime we had a sit-down with the boys and told them that this game calls for heart. With heart applied with what we taught in training, we would have come out victorious. I am elated. It has been a struggle from the start of the season. It is an overwhelming feeling," Williams said after celebrating winning the title.
Continuing, he explained that, "We made a tactical change going down 2-0. We saw where this Clarendon team was playing side to side and playing through the middle. We tried to counter that and used a more attacking player on the flank which exploited them and created three goals."
Clarendon College's coach Junior Samuels says illness caused them to concede three goals.
"That is madness. Stop telling the kids about them lose. They tried but they are battling the flu and it took a toll on them. About 10 to 12 of them had the flu and they did put in some work. They could have backed out because of health," Samuels shared.
"Initially we were the dominant team but flu conditions kicked in big time. We weren't able to lift ourselves anymore because physically we weren't there," he added.
The win means Manning's will meet St Andrew Technical High School in the all-island decider set for Wednesday, January 15, 2025.
GLENMUIR WIN U14
Meanwhile, Glenmuir High School took home their second 2024 ISSA trophy, winning the Burger King rural under-14 title when they clipped first-time finalists Manchester High 1-0.
In the 70-minute game, Justin Francis gave his team a much-needed goal to secure the victory just seconds away from a penalty shootout.
Winning coach Johnoy Chambers said it was an emotional victory.
"They beat us in the round of 16 and we know that they are a quality team, so we had to plan. It was a tight game and we just persevered more than them this time," Chambers told STAR Sports while celebrating the title.
He added, "It is always good to be rewarded for your hard work, and that's what this is today."
The win sets up Glenmuir for a showdown against Kingston College in the all-island under-14 decider set for Wednesday, January 15, 2025.
