KC bury six to win high scoring Penwood clash

Ryon Jones, Gleaner Writer

Fourteen-time champions Kingston College (KC) overcame a spirited Penwood team to get their 2011-12 Inter-Secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA)/Gatorade/Digicel Manning Cup campaign off to a winning start, as they secured a 6-3 win in their Group F encounter yesterday at the school's North Street grounds.

The purple and white's quest for their first trophy in 25 years was powered by national under-17 representative Romario Williams, and national senior team invitee Jhamie Hyde Jr.

Williams opened the scoring for his team in the seventh minute when he unleashed a 30-yard thunderbolt of a free kick which left Penwood's keeper, Kevron Grant, rooted to the spot.

Hyde would not be outdone and got in on the act two minutes later, when he towered above everybody to powerfully head home from a corner.

KC's other scorers were Jorginho James (45th), Jason Greenland (73rd), and substitutes David Patrick (78th) and Dorvil Jackson (85th).

All of the Olympic Gardens-based Penwood goals were netted by Clifford Shaw (27th), including two penalties in the 58th and 90th minutes.

Penwood were reduced to 10 players 35 minutes into the first half, when Javaughn Carty was given marching orders for a rash challenge.

Not too pleased

Williams, who represented Jamaica earlier this year at the under-17 World Cup Finals in Mexico, was not totally pleased with the team's performance, as he believes too many goals were conceded.

"We weren't pleased with the performance as I think we conceded too many goals. But we have to put that behind us and look forward to the next game and put out the same effort, and hope we come out victorious again," Williams said.

The 17-year-old is cognisant that he has a huge role to play in the team.

"In the national programme, I have grasped a lot, and my job to this team is to come and show them and teach them what I have grasped and encourage the troops and lead them forward," he shared. "We are coming together as a unit and we are gelling together, so we can go far and even win the title."

The centre forward also has his sights set on scoring in excess of 20 goals this season.

"I am looking to score 20 to 25 goals. I am off to a good start and I am looking to build on it for the remaining games," he pointed out.

Penwood's assistant coach, Rupert Nicholas, was disappointed with the result, but blamed it on nerves.

"I am disappointed, but they tried and they played well," Nicholas said. "The goalkeeper made a lot of errors, but it is their first game and they were nervous."

Yesterday's Manning Cup results

Group B

Denham Town 1 Tivoli 2

Campion 1 Papine 1

Waterford vs Hydel - rained out

Group D

Cumberland 0 Pembroke Hall 0

St Jago 2 Kingston Tech 0

Group F

Ardenne 2 Norman Manley 5

Kingston College 6 Penwood 3

Group G

St Mary's College 1 Oberlin 0

Jose Marti vs STATHS - rained out

daCosta Cup results

Zone H

Lennon 6 Alston 0

Edwin Allen 2 Thompson Town 1

Zone I

Garvey Maceo 3 Vere 0

Denbigh 3 Bustamante 0

Kemps Hill 1 Central 0