Big win today can put KC on top in Zone C

While it is far too early to sound the alarm, Kingston College (KC) will be pressed to put on a much better showing in their second match in Zone C of the ISSA Manning Cup when they face Cumberland High today at Stadium East.

Perennial Manning Cup contenders KC were held to shock 2-2 draw by Penwood High in their opening game earlier this week.

The famed purples of North Street conceded within just a minute of the game’s start and struggled to find the net throughout the match despite their numerous chances. They salvaged a draw at the death through a strike from Deshawn Byfield to spare their blushes.

Head coach Vassell Reynolds is not too concerned regarding their opening result despite expressing his disappointment with the way his team conceded against Penwood.

“The 15-second goal shook us up a bit, and we took some time to settle down. We panicked and that was way too early to panic. And then we started to chase the game,” he told The Gleaner after the match.

“We created chances but my concern is the way we conceded. We gave up two silly goals. But credit to Penwood, they employed a tactic to run down the time and it frustrated us and disrupted our rhythm.”

KC should have things easier today as they face a Cumberland team which went down 4-0 to Campion College in their opening match on Monday. Campion and Jose Marti High head the zone with four points each and KC, on one point in third, will be aiming to leapfrog both schools with a big win today. Campion have a plus four goal difference and Jose Marti plus three after two matches. KC, with zero goal difference after one match, can top the group with a 5-0 win.

Over in Zone F, Jamaica College (JC) will be aiming to continue their imperious march when they take on Ascot High at the Ashenheim Stadium.

JC are fresh off a dominant 9-0 display against Pembroke Hall High and will be hoping they can make it two wins in a row.

Ascot come into the fixture with a win under their belt having edged Bridgeport High 1-0 in their last outing.

Last year’s Walker Cup finalists St Andrew Technical High (STATHS) will be hoping to get the ball rolling in Zone D when they take on zone leaders Calabar High.

STATHS were held to a scoreless draw against Vauxhall High last time out and will be aiming for all three points when they face Calabar who had blanked Haile Selassie 3-0 in their opening game.

All matches are set to kick off at 3:30 p.m.