Tomlinson's determination spurs Manning’s

THE MANNING’S School are yet to lose in this year’s ISSA/WATA daCosta Cup season, and one of the reasons for that is their coach, Everton Tomlinson.

“Wi come to collect our three points, not to draw. Stop play with the game,” screamed Tomlinson from the sidelines of a game against Knockalva at half-time on Tuesday.

The score, at the time, was 1-1.

The result of that rant, a 3-1 win for Manning’s.

Manning’s had scored in the 34th minute at the Knockalva Sports Complex in Hanover through Dainton Williams but were pegged back in the 43rd through a John Brown strike.

The scoreline was despite Manning’s early dominance and may have been punishment for missing as many chances as they did.

Tomlinson’s speech seemed to ignite Manning’s, who went into overdrive in the second half, grabbing goals through Akiem Gordon in the 47th minute and Rohan Virgo in the 67th.

But the firebrand coach, while lauding his attackers for coming to the party in a game that could bring about a stumble, feels there are other issues in the daCosta Cup, he says, need to be handled at the administrative level.

“My disappointment is the surface. The field of play was not up to standard. It is below the requirement for football. The surface is very uneven. Under the circumstances, my team handled it well and we are satisfied we won,” said Tomlinson.

“I think ISSA needs to get serious and take a serious look at these pitches that the schools are using and that are unacceptable,” said Tomlinson.

Manning’s sit atop Zone D with 10 points, three ahead of Black River, who squeezed out a 1-0 win against Petersfield on Tuesday to keep pace.

Knockalva were losing for the third time this season and are at the foot of Zone D on three points, the same as Grange Hill, who have a slightly better goal difference.