Manning Cup: JC, Cumberland clash rained out

Jamaica Under-15 star Giovanni Taylor netted a first hat-trick to put Jamaica College (JC) 3-0 up and in control of their Group B ISSA Manning Cup encounter against Cumberland High at the Ashenheim Stadium yesterday, before rain forced the game to be called off after 27 minutes.

Taylor put the home team firmly ahead with goals in the ninth, 24th and 26th minutes but Coach Davion Ferguson was not pleased with his team’s lethargic approach to the game.

“I did not like the first 25 minutes. Although we were leading 3-0, I thought we were a little relaxed. We played down to our opponent’s level. But they are young and that happens and we will guard against that. But, to score three goals in any game, that is a good return, and we could have scored more,” he reasoned.

He said he would have preferred to see out the game, as they continue to work on solidifying certain areas of their game.

“We have to be a bit more in control. The eagerness to go forward is a bit too much. We have to get that composure and not rush the attack. We just need to be a bit more patient and, with time, work and application, they will get it. But, at this stage, we just want to chalk off games and move forward. This was a game we wanted to end today but it is what it is. Hopefully it will be replayed as soon as possible,” he said.

Cumberland coach Glenford White said the early goals were a wake-up call for his boys and he expects that they will understand the seriousness of the competition from here on.

“We started well. The guys were looking to see where they are in their preparation. We are just getting them to realise that this is the Manning Cup competition, as they have just started coming to training.

“But we believe we have reached a level and JC came at the right time to give them a good test to see where we are. It was 3-0 before the rain came but I saw some things and we only have positives to take away. We look forward to the remaining minutes because, once the final whistle has not been blown, we will not give up. We will come again.” he said.

Kingston Technical climbed to the top of the group on six points, three more than JC, after beating Meadowbrook 4-0 for their second consecutive win.

livingston.scott@gleanerjm.com

Yesterday’s results

Tivoli 2 Spanish Town 2

Kingston Technical 4 Meadowbrook 0

St Catherine 10 St Mary’s College 0

Mona 5 Innswood 1

Norman Manley 1 Holy Trinity 0

Today’s games

Hydel vs Camperdown at Royal Lakes

Kingston College vs Calabar at Stadium East

Penwood vs Charlie Smith at Maverley Football field

Excelsior vs Tarrant at Excelsior high

Clan Carthy vs St Andrew Technical at Alpha Academy

Cedar Grove vs Bridgeport at Cedar Grove

Ardenne vs Waterford at Ardenne high

Campion vs St George’s College at Campion

Pembroke Hall vs Jose Marti (TBA)

Donald Quarrie vs Ascot at Harbour View mini Stadium

St Jago vs Wolmer’s at St Jago high

Vauxhall vs Papine at Vauxhall

All matches start 3.30 p.m.