Classy JC reach Manning semis

Robert Bailey, Gleaner Writer

Defending champions Jamaica College (JC), led by a brace from Raheem Manning, outclassed Kingston College (KC) 3-1 to secure their place in the semi-finals of the ISSA/Gatorade/Digicel Manning Cup competition at the Constant Spring Sports Complex yesterday.

Manning netted his goals in the 45th and 86th minutes after Junior Flemming scored the opening goal for the Alfred Henry-coached JC in the 39th minute. Jason Greenland scored the consolation goal for the KC in the 63rd.

Both teams ended the match with 10 men as KC's defender Jhamie Hyde and Flemming were sent off for violent conduct.

JC finished atop Group K with maximum nine points, relegating KC to second on four. They were followed by Excelsior (four) and St Andrew Technical High (STATHS), who failed to gain a point in the second round.

"It was a very interesting game and a very tough game," Ian Forbes, manager of the JC, said. "I think it was a very gutsy performance from my team and we stuck to the plan and we got a positive result," he said.

Continuing, Forbes added: "We are very proud because it is always a very fierce rivalry between JC and KC, and it lived up to expectations, and I think we stuck to the task and prevailed."

KC, who needed a win to progress to semi-finals of the competition, came out firing in the opening minutes but they were kept out by brilliant goalkeeping from JC's custodian Sherrick Davis. The swift-moving Davis pulled off a spectacular point-blank save to deny KC's Jorginho James in the fifth minute.

Two minutes later, KC's national Under-17 Romario Williams close-range shot was tipped over the crossbar by Davis. KC suffered a major setback in the 25th minute when their inspirational captain Richard Wilson was substituted after picking up a head injury. JC took advantage of this as they dominated the remainder of the first half. Flemming put his team ahead when he controlled the ball between two KC defenders then fired home a powerful right-footed shot past goalkeeper Reynoldo Vassell.

Doubled the lead

Manning doubled JC's lead on the stroke of half-time as he converted a spectacular 25-yard free kick which went through the hands of Vassell. Greenland pulled one back for KC, then playing with 10 men, midway the second period, but Manning put the issue beyond doubt when he netted four minutes from time.

Trevor 'Jumpy' Harris', coach of KC, said: "We started out as planned because we were getting the crosses but then our game broke down."

Harris, in congratulating JC, added that the loss of their captain proved crucial as they had to make some adjustments which "didn't work out for us".

In the opening match of the double-header, goals from Cornel McKen (first) and Zehlano Barnes (65th) carried Excelsior to a 2-0 victory over STATHS.