JC deliver second loss to famed Purples
Published:Wednesday | November 13, 2024 | 12:10 AM
ALL THREE points and bragging rights will be heading to Old Hope Road as Jamaica College (JC) were rampant in a staggering first-half attacking display which saw them dismissing rivals Kingston College (KC) 3-0 yesterday in an ISSA Manning Cup quarterfinal round game at Stadium East.
The win means JC take full control of Group A of the quarterfinals, moving clear at the top with four points. KC, however, have fallen to second in the group with three points.
Nashordo Gibbs, a former KC player, opened the scoring for JC in the 20th minute from the spot after a handball in the penalty area dealt the first blow to the famed Purples.
Gibbs returned to haunt his old school just 10 minutes later, this time popping up as provider. He was quick to intercept a loose pass around the back before slipping in Jamoy Dennis, who doubled the lead.
Dennis completed his brace just two minutes later as his inventive run from a free-kick routine caught KC’s defence napping, allowing him a snap shot.
JC felt they had scored a fourth when Giovanni Taylor followed up on an initial save by the KC custodian but his goal was called back due to a high boot when he edged the ball over the line.
Tactical changes
Davion Ferguson, JC’s head coach, said his team’s win was due to tactical changes he made after watching KC’s style of play throughout the season.
“We’ve watched them a few times in our video review sessions and we saw some gaps,” Ferguson explained.
“We wanted to give them a surprise, so we made a few tactical adjustments in the first half and also in the second half. After we got the three goals, we tried to control the tempo of the second half because we wanted to save our legs.”
KC were dealt a final blow in the second half when Dejuan Green picked up his second yellow card of the game. He is now suspended for KC’s must-win match against Mona High School on Friday.
KC’s head coach, Vassell Reynolds, said the scoreline was not a true reflection of his team’s quality. His focus now will be on their next opponents, defending champions Mona.
“I don’t think 3-0 was a reflection of the game itself,” he said.
“We made some telling errors and congrats to JC, they punished us. I thought we gave away two silly goals, we weren’t concentrating – especially on that set piece – so we just have to regroup and come again for the crucial one on Friday.”
Mona suffered a major shock in their title defence ambitions yesterday as they were felled 3-1 by Tivoli, leaving them on the brink of elimination.
Mona now sit at the foot of Group A with only a point, and will need a win against KC, as well as a favourable result in the group’s other game, if they want to advance to the final four.
Campion College roared back to life in spectacular fashion in their fixture as they clipped Excelsior High 2-0 to keep their semifinals ambitions alive.
Hydel High took charge of Group B as they handed St Catherine High their first defeat of the season, running out 2-0 winners in their encounter yesterday.
Hydel now lead the group with four points, ahead of St Catherine and Campion, both tied on three.
Excelsior sit at the foot of the table, still in semifinal contention, with just a point.
Yesterday’s Games
KC 0-3 JC
Campion 2-0 Excelsior
Tivoli Gardens 3-1 Mona
St Catherine 0-2 Hydel