And then there were four

NEW CHAMPIONS will be crowned in the ISSA/Digicel Manning Cup football competition this year with defending champions Jamaica College (JC) out after being held to a 1-1 draw against St George’s College on Saturday at the Ashenheim Stadium.

The result meant JC, who lost to Hydel in their opening encounter before beating Tivoli, only managed four points from Group 2 quarerfinal matches, finishing third behind Hydel (seven points), and St George’s, who ended the round on five.

JC, fully aware that only a victory would send them through, were repeatedly denied by the exploits of goalkeeper D’Jone Davis. JC’’s offensive thrust began as soon as the ninth minute of play, as goalkeeper Davis had to expertly handle a one-on-one situation with JC’s Jabarie Howell. Two minutes later Amarlie King failed to convert as a delivery inside the box slipped between his legs.

In the 34th minute, Davis had to pull off yet another magnificent save, denying a superbly struck right-footed effort from King.

Three minutes later, JC’s Jamoy Dennis had to watch as his open header went wide of the St George’s College upright.

Those missed chances would eventually cost JC.

With St George’s first meaningful attack of the fixture, JC defender Javaun Mills’ clumsy challenge on Zabir Taylor cost his team a penalty, which talisman Brian Burkett spotted, breathed over and spanked inside the JC net in first-half added time.

With their backs against the wall, the JC coaching staff brought on Jayd Johnson and the substitute was an instant impact as his left-footed drive in the 59th drew the teams level.

As the tensions rose, so did goalkeeper Davis, pulling off a superb save in the 93rd minute to deny Johnson’s free kick. This would make it the first time since 2012 that JC would fall short of reaching the semifinals.

Marcel Gayle, St George’s assistant coach, said he knew heading into this fixture that his team would have had to suffer on the offensive end if they were to get anything from the game.

“This is something that we were prepared for as we knew we had to suffer a lot. The Jamaica College team is a quality team but this a case of defence versus attack and I think that we defended stoutly and credit must be given to our goalkeeper D’Jone, who was fantastic between the sticks. I believe he made the difference for us,” Gayle explained.

Davion Ferguson, head coach of Jamaica College, was a disappointed man.

“I’m extremely disappointed as we came out here with a plan and we created enough chances but didn’t put them away. We had some issues up top and it showed. St George’s came with a resilient spirit and they deserve to go through, congrats to them,” said Ferguson.

The four teams now through to semifinals of the Manning Cup are Mona, Kingston College, Hydel and St George’s College.

orane.buchanan@gleanerjm.com

Yesterday results

Hydel 3-1 Tivoli

JC 1-1 St George’s