Gayle wary of title talk after STGC’s fast start

ST GEORGE’S College (STGC) continued their typical strong start to the Manning Cup season, beating Norman Manley 7-0 in their Zone G match at Winchester Park yesterday, leaving many saying that this is their year to reclaim the trophy they last won in 2012.

However, assistant coach Marcel Gayle said it was too early to start talking about winning the title.

“It is early season. We are taking it a game at a time. It’s everybody’s ambition (to win the cup) but we are just taking it one game at a time,” he insisted.

“But we are getting better. Some areas that we were lacking in, we improved in those areas. But in front of goal we can’t ask for more.

“Joel Ffrench came on and added his contribution, and that was what we were missing last year, players to come off the bench who can deliver for us. So it’s a good look going forward.”

Matthew Spence opened the score after two minutes, before Payton Larmond made it 2-0 after 22.

Spence added his second and St George’s third from the penalty spot three minutes later while Tae-Sean Oneil scored in the 32nd minute. Oneil Mitchell scored in the 41st to put the Georgians 5-0 up at the break.

The home team totally dominated the second half and had numerous opportunities but only added two more through Oneil’s 58th-minute strike and Joel-Ajani Ffrench’s goal three minutes from time.

Gayle noted that their focus for the second half was to be patient and exploit the spaces.

“Second half we were a bit lacklustre in front of goal,” said Gayle.

“But scoring seven goals, I don’t think there is much more you could ask of the team.

“The objective was to keep possession and let the goal come. We still got two goals but that wasn’t our main objective. The objective was to pass the ball around and ensure that we finished strong,” he added.

It was Norman Manley’s second defeat in as many games and coach Jahmoy Green noted that apart from having a very young team, they took too long to get going.

“It wasn’t a bad performance. But they took too long to come into their own. The second half after 10 minutes they came into their own and created a couple chances and didn’t make use of them.

“But the players are mainly young players trying to step up to the Manning Cup. So we are trying to keep them together for next year. That is our aim,” he stated.

livingston.scott@gleanerjm.com

Yesterday’s Results

Mona 9-1 Tarrant

Jonothan Grant 2-0 Waterford

Campion 4-0 Meadowbrook

Kingston College 2-0 Jose Marti

Holy Trinity 2-1 Papine