KC reclaim Manning Cup title after 32 year wait

Kingston College ended a 32-year wait for the Manning Cup title with an edge-of-the-seat 3-2 win over rival neighbours St George's College inside a rocking National Stadium on Friday. 

Their motto 'The brave may fall, but never yield', was surely tested in a contest that saw both teams enjoying spells of domination. 

KC wasted several early opportunities, with striker Ari Rodgers at fault for the most glaring of misses in the first half, firing wide after rounding the St George's goalkeeper in the 32nd minute. 

'The Purples' were made to rue that miss when Damani Harris completed a sweeping series of passes through the midfield area, calmly slotting home the opening goal beyond the onrushing KC custodian two minutes later. 

STGC, who were looking for their first title since 2012, took the advantage into the break and looked quite comfortable at this stage of the contest. 

However, they handed a way back into the game to their rivals when goalkeeper Orville Smikle spilled a tame shot from distance into the path of Trayvon Reid, who pulled KC level in the 51st minute. 

STGC substitute Chantomoi Taylor sent a well-placed header into the back of the net in the 72nd minute as KC's wait seemed set for a continuation. 

However, with an empty goal at his mercy, Harris sent a shot blazing over the crossbar from a mere two or three yards in front of the goal and KC would again make their rivals pay. 

Michael Allen secured the equaliser for KC in the 88th minute after a scramble in the box.

A heavily deflected shot from Nathan Thomas in the 90th minute ensured that Kingston College would end the season as the kings of urban schoolboy football for the first time since 1986.