DEFENDING MANNING Cup champions Jamaica College kept their hopes for a semifinal spot alive after a closely fought 2-1 win over 10-man Tivoli Gardens High School at the Stadium East field on Tuesday.

Jayd Johnson handed the Old Hope Road school the lead after 16 minutes but Dwayne Johnson cancelled his effort with a goal in the 50th minute.

Tivoli then lost Romario Haynes to a second yellow card in the 66th minute before Dyllan John stole the winner with a header two minutes later.

The result put Jamaica College level on three points with St George’s College and Hydel who played each other in the another Group Two game yesterday.

St George’s College would come from behind in that game to hold Hydel to a 1-1 draw. The result also meant Tivoli were eliminated after their 2-0 defeat to St George’s on the weekend.

JC though, were in a spot of bother after Saturday’s defeat to Hydel, a draw for JC yesterday would have all but eliminated them from the competition.

John’s second-half winner has given them renewed hope and with one group game remaining, coach Davian Ferguson said the intention is to make most of this slender lifeline.

“On Saturday we lost a game we didn’t deserve to lose. Today (Tuesday) was a difficult game as well, so it is not as smooth as we usually have it. But the most important thing is that we won the game,” he said.

“The (Hydel) game on Saturday took a toll on us psychologically but I think we are strong enough and experienced enough to come again.

“Today (Tuesday) the performance was not good, but the result was the most important thing of all.”

On Saturday St George’s will stand in Jamaica College’s way of a semifinal berth when they meet in their final group match and Ferguson said it will be all or nothing. Two teams from each of two groups will head to the semifinal of the Manning Cup.

“We have no choice. We have to go out and get the job done. The most important thing is to qualify for the next round, how we do it is inconsequential. So it’s important to go out on Saturday and give our best,” he said.

Tivoli coach Christopher Nicholas thought they gave a good account of themselves, on the day and overall in the competition.

“This is football, you win some and you lose some, but if you don’t keep your head in the game this is what happens. We were in the game and on the verge of trying to get another goal. So I am disappointed with the result, but pleased with the performance, because even when we went down to 10 men you couldn’t see the difference,” he commented.

In Group One, the group of death, Kingston College, with a 1-0 win over St Andrew Technical High School (STATHS), put themselves in good position to move to the semifinal with the final game on Saturday set to be between themselves and St Catherine High School.

St Catherine, who lie at the foot of the table, are also in with a shot at qualification if they can get by Kingston College on Saturday.

STATHS, who remained on three points after the loss, play against Mona on Saturday.

Mona drew with St Catherine today after their draw with Kingston College and so now have two points and must win against STATHS to make the semifinal.

livingston.scott@gleanerjm.com [3]

Yesterday’s Results

Tivoli 1-2 Jamaica College

Mona 1-1 St Catherine

Kingston College 1-0 STATHS

St George’s 1-1 Hydel