Jones lifts St George's College

Robert Bailey, Gleaner Writer

A second-half double from national Under-17 representative Romario Jones carried former champions St George's College (StGC) to an exciting come-from-behind 3-1 win over Spanish Town in their Group E encounter in the Inter-Secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA)/Gatorade/Digicel Manning Cup match at Winchester Park yesterday.

The skilful Jones, a member of the junior Reggae Boyz team which participated in this year's FIFA Under-17 World Cup in Mexico, netted his goals in the 60th and 88th minutes. Oshane Boothe also scored for StGC in the 71st minute. Owen Walters was on target for Spanish Town in the 31st minute.

StGC, who last won the title in 2009, have moved to 16 points. Spanish Town are on 11. They are followed by Innswood and Meadowbrook eight points each, Tarrant seven and Edith Dalton James, who are yet to secure a point in the competition.

In the group's other games, Tarrant beat Edith Dalton James 3-1 and Innswood beat Meadowbrook 5-1.

Neville 'Bertis' Bell, coach of StGC, said he was very happy with his team's performance because they had to fight really hard to win the match.

"I thought Spanish Town played well because not many teams lead us and we haven't given up many goals, but I was very proud of my team for the way they fought back to win the match," said Bell.

Walters stunned the home crowd when he beat goalkeeper Nico Campbell to give his team a surprise 1-0 lead just before at the half-time interval.

However, StGC came out firing on all cylinders in the second period and were given the equaliser when Jones fired home from point blank range.

Boothe scored StGC's second goal of the match 11 minutes later when he tapped home a low cross from substitute Davion Kelly. Jones sealed the win for his team when he slammed home from the penalty spot two minutes from time.

Yesterday's results

Group A

Excelsior 5 Greater Portmore 0

Holy Trinity 0 Calabar 5

Group C

Ascot 3 Wolmer's 0

Haile Selassie 0 Dunoon 1

Vauxhall 0 Charlie Smith 4

Group E

St George's 3 Spanish Town 1

Tarrant 3 Edith Dalton James 1

Inswood 5 Meadowbrook 1