KC, Excelsior through to quarter-finals
Published:Wednesday | October 30, 2024 | 12:21 AM
KINGSTON COLLEGE (KC) and Excelsior High School booked their spots to the quarter-finals of the ISSA Manning Cup competition with second-round wins over Wolmer’s Boys’ and Tivoli Gardens, respectively yesterday at the Stadium East Sports Complex.
In an evening of football, KC maintained their unbeaten tags this season with a dramatic 3-1 comeback victory over the Wolmerians before Excelsior edged a misfiring Tivoli unit 2-0.
Wolmers wasted little time in their first match of the double-header, taking the lead with just a minute on the clock. A cross into the box was inadvertently turned into his own net by KC defender Christiano Myers.
The famed purples would turn up the pressure on the Wolmerians throughout the first half but, despite their numerous chances, they could not get the better of the boys from Heroes’ Circle.
Wolmers started the better of the two teams in the second half and nearly doubled their lead through Addon Daye, but the winger saw his effort from just inside the box closed down by the KC defence in the 51st minute.
Late goals
With 15 minutes left in the contest, KC would pull level when Matrim Martin struck from close range.
They would double their lead two minutes later through a penalty from Shareef Ricketts before Deshawn Byfield sealed the win in the 83rd minute, capitalising on a mistake from Wolmer’s goalkeeper, Yuri Dryden.
The win sees KC confirm their spot in the next round as they maintained their lead atop Group 3 with six points, while Wolmers sit third with a single point.
In the second encounter of the afternoon, Excelsior weathered waves of Tivoli’s attack to run out victors and secure a quarter-final berth.
Excelsior head coach Keon Broderick applauded the effort of his players as they now look towards their final game of the second round against Jonathan Grant on Saturday.
“We still have the last game of this round and then we have the quarter-finals,” Broderick said.
“I must give credit to my boys in the effort that they give. One of the things that I asked them was to give 100 per cent and they did not let us down.”
Easy finish
Excelsior opened the scoring in the 34th minute through their main talisman Kimarly Scott, who found himself free inside the box, finishing easily after a string of passes around the Tivoli Gardens defence.
Scott would turn provider in time added on as he dribbled past his marker out wide before pulling the ball back across the face of goal for the onrushing Damarley Williams.
Excelsior sit comfortably atop Group 2 with six points, ahead of Tivoli Gardens who remain in second on three.
Lance Dacosta, assistant coach of Tivoli Gardens, applauded the team for their fight, despite the loss on the day.
“I think we grew into the match. We had a couple of opportunities but we didn’t finish. It was a good performance, despite the 2-0. We saw the fight and the coming together. We have to work on our finishing. Goals win games and, as long as we’re scoring, then I guarantee we’re going win.”
Tivoli’s next match will be against a tough Eltham on Saturday, with both teams aiming for a spot in the quarter-finals.
Yesterday’s Games
Wolmer’s Boys’ 1-3 Kingston College
Tivoli Gardens 0-2 Excelsior
Campion College 1-2 Mona
Jamaica College 5-0 Charlie Smith
St George’s College 1-0 St Jago
Jonathan Grant 0-3 Eltham
STATHS 0-1 Hydel
Calabar 1-3 St Catherine