McLean’s strike hands KC win over Calabar

NEWLY APPOINTED head coach of Kingston College (KC), Vassell Reynolds, earned his first victory at the helm of the North Street-based school, a hard-fought 1-0 result over Zone A rivals Calabar, on Saturday evening at the Stadium East Sports Complex.

Jaheim McLean scored the all-important goal in the 55th minute.

Calabar, who started the brighter of the two, came close to taking the lead as early as the sixth minute when Kevaun Campbell’s strike was denied by the upright.

The early pressure from Calabar brought a response from KC, who began taking care of possession better. That possession would result in an Alex Hislop chance, the KC player coming within inches of the Calabar goal in the 25th minute.

KC started the quicker of teams in the second half, and McLean’s strike, though mishandled by Calabar’s goalkeeper, Omari Grant, was the fruit of that fact.

Calabar would try to get back on level terms, but nothing went their way.

Reynolds said he was certain his charges would have a better approach to this game after the 4-0 defeat they were handed in their opening encounter against Hydel.

“We knew that this was a very important game and we wanted a better result. We knew what happened the last game. We had some challenges and we knew we had to put out a better performance. It was all about getting something from the game, and I thought the boys came out and did pretty well,” said Reynolds.

Reynolds, who was animated throughout the cagey encounter, said he couldn’t allow his boys to become complacent.

“We are a pretty young bunch and I’m aware that we still have some work to do. We knew that we couldn’t get complacent and it was about working hard until the final whistle,” he said.

Andrew Price, head coach of Calabar, said his team should have been more clinical, especially against a unit like KC.

“I think we weren’t clinical. I don’t think we lacked offensive power. We should have gone ahead within the first five minutes of the game, and you have to be clinical against a team like Kingston College. We expected them to come and play hard. The area that we need to work on is upfront, as we need to be more clinical in front of goal.”

orane.buchanan@gleanerjm.com

Other Results Yesterday

KC 1-0 Calabar

Penwood 0-3 Charlie Smith

Excelsior 7-0 Tarrant

Clan Carthy 0-4 STATHS

Ardenne 0-3 Waterford

Campion 1-2 St George’s College

Vauxhall 3-1 Papine