Lopez promises improvement for JC

Jamaica College (JC) forward Shadane Lopez, who led the 'Dark Blues' with a hat-trick in their 8-0 win over Kingston High in their Group F ISSA/Digicel Manning Cup game at Breezy Castle yesterday, believes his team is starting to settle down and expects to get even better as the competition progresses.

The former Buff Bay High student netted in the 18th, 52nd and 55th minutes to help the defending champions to their fourth win in five games.

"I put in the hard work in training, so I expect it to come out in the matches. It was an easy match, so as soon as I scored the hat-trick, coach took me off, but it was a good 60 minutes," he told The Gleaner.

"I feel like I am on the way to reaching the standard that I want this season. I am one of the main players in the team, and things are looking good for me so far. I have four goals and will be looking for more every game.

Talisman Shaneil Thomas opened the score after five minutes, before Lopez made it 2-0 in the 18th and Tajay Grant made it 3-0 before half-time.

After the break, Lopez fired home two goals in quick succession (52nd) and 55th) to seal his hattrick. Further strikes from Norman Campbell (62nd), Calwayne Allen (70) and Duncan McKenzie sealed the win for the Old Hope Road school.

JC coach Andrew Peart said his team still needs to "sharpen up" in front of goal.

"It's an okay game. We got eight goals - the most we have scored this season. We need to sharpen up in front of goal, but it's just the decision making, so at least we know what we have to do," he commented.

JC and Hydel are tied at the top on 13 points, but JC leads with the better goal difference.

Yesterday's ISSA/Digicel Manning Cup results:

Tarrant 2-0 Papine

Cumberland 3-0 Cedar Grove

Clan Carthy 2-2 Dunoon

Mona High 0-1 Kingston College

Ardenne 0-4 Calabar

Bridgeport 0-2 St Jago

Innswood 3-2 Greater Portmore

Tivoli 0-1 Denham Town

St Mary's College 0-5 Excelsior

Haile Selassie 0-2 St Catherine

Vauxhall 0-1 Hydel

Kingston High 0-8 Jamaica College

Campion College 1-2 Kingston Technical