Hydel, Mona advance to Manning Cup final

A first-time ISSA Digicel/Manning Cup champion will be crowned this season after Hydel High and Mona High advanced to the final after semifinal wins at Sabina Park yesterday.

Hydel defeated many-time winners Kington College (KC) 5-4 on penalties after battling to a 2-2 draw in the second semifinal. Earlier Mona High clipped St George’s College 2-1.

Hydel’s coach Devon Anderson, who has come close on many occasions with Holy Trinity High, said although his players deviated from the game plan and let KC back into the game, they dug deep to see out the victory.

“As boys they will get distracted easily. After leading 2-0 they came 2-1 and then 2-2 but we held on.

“We fought and once I shouted remember the (preseason) hill, they dug deep and fought to the end, and once it went to penalties I wasn’t worried,” he said.

“It’s a good feeling (reaching the final) but to be honest it hasn’t soaked in as yet. I have to pinch myself to see if I am sleeping or awake.

But the work is not completed, we have a lot more to do. This is halfway. This (semi) is behind us. Now we prepare for a final,” he added.

Hydel took the lead after just seven minutes when Keyanni Jackson’s well-struck effort from 25 yards beat the outstretched arms of goalkeeper Malique Williams.

Hydel continued to create the better chances and Jackson had another great chance but could not beat Williams.

However, Omario Henry, who was lively from the outset, added a second with a vicious strike from the edge of the box.

KC’s best chance for a goal came after 35 minutes but outstanding defender Jomo Gordon Jr cleared that effort off the line.

The North Street-based KC came close again towards the break but Damario Dailey’s effort was saved by goalkeeper Tajarie Lee.

KC equalised immediately after the break, through Damain Smith, to get themselves back in the match.

The ‘Purples’ then completed the comeback when Alex Hislop latched on to a through ball and placed the ball inside the far post.

KC had the upper hand close to full-time but they were unable to capitalise on their chances.

The dreaded penalties were then required to separate the teams, but while Hydel were perfect from the spot, Kingston College’s Kimani Reece failed to convert, sending the St Catherine school to their second Manning Cup final.

KC coach Vassell Reynolds said it was a tale of two halves and that he is proud of his team’s effort on the night and over the course of the season.

“We conceded early and were 2-0 down in the first 30 minutes. We were guarding against that third goal because that would have been very difficult. We just wanted to get it to half-time and rebuild the confidence of the team and I thought we did that well.

“We came back and outperformed the Hydel team in the second half. There was more energy and commitment and it was a very good performance to take it to the shootout but Hydel had the better of the shootout,” he said.

Mona vs St George’s

For the first time in ISSA/Digicel Manning Cup history, the final will include Mona High as the Craig Butler-coached school defeated St George’s College 2-1 courtesy of strikes from Romarion Thomas and Denzel McKenzie at Sabina Park yesterday.

St George’s had an early chance to register the game’s opening goal through Brian Burkett but his left-footed strike went wide of the intended target. As both teams traded opportunities, it was Mona’s McKenzie who had his team’s first chance but his tame effort in the 38th minute was comfortably handled by St George’s goalkeeper D’jone Davis. A minute later teammate K’shane Gordon also came close but he was denied by the crossbar as his header clipped and went over.

However, persistent pressure gave Mona the opener in the 39th minute as Romarion Thomas managed to sneak in at the near post and convert his chance. St George’s had a response of their own as Zabir Taylor’s magnificent right-footed curler hit the crossbar and brushed on the back of goalkeeper Ackeem Bernard on its way down to equalise in the 43rd minute.

In the second half, it took only 11 minutes for Mona to go up 2-1 as McKenzie’s brilliant free kick managed to evade the outstretched arms of goalkeeper Davis as he registered his 11th goal of the season. St George’s College last goalscoring chance fell to the feet of captain Adrian Reid but his left-footed effort was stopped by Mona’s Bernard who threw himself at his near post to deny the equaliser.

Butler said his team went into a defensive formation after going up 2-1 early in the second half as this was needed to win an encounter like that.

“We used it well and the boys played out their hearts and played with everything they had but it’s not over,” Butler stated.

Neville Bell, assistant coach of St George’s College, stated that while his team didn’t do enough to win the game he’s proud of their performance not only on the day but across the season.

“It’s always tough to lose whether it’s a semifinal or not but we didn’t do enough. We matched them on the field but in front of goal we didn’t do much and after they scored the second goal, they put every player behind the ball. But I’m proud of these kids and congratulations to Mona as they played hard,” Bell shared.

livingston.scott@gleanerjm.com