Kingston College fell 2–0 to Manchester United’s youth team after a costly defensive mistake early in the second half shifted the momentum. Goalkeeper Donovan Hayles left his line to collect a ball, but a miskick by defender Leroy Dias allowed Peter Sutcliffe to pounce and score. KC later missed key chances to equalise, including an open goal opportunity, before conceding a second late in the game.

Published Tuesday, November 27, 1973

Manchester ‘Babes’ shut out KC 2-0

Manchester United’s young footballers opened their three-match tour of Jamaica on a triumphant note last night when they defeated Kingston College (KC) 2-0 at the National Stadium.
From the initial stages of the game, the Manchester United team showed effective ball control and made some intelligent interchanges of positions. KC’s goalkeeper, Donovan Hayles, was kept busy early and handled some good shots from the United frontline.
For the United team, outside right Peter Sutcliffe became the favourite of the crowd with his swift movements down the wing. One shot in particular from him early in the game dipped dangerously, hitting the crossbar.
KC’s defence, spearheaded by Charles Headlam and Clive Plummer, worked tirelessly to stave off the attacks of the United team. Throughout all this, the visitors showed good ball control and made some precision passes from wing to wing.
KC’s forwards, on the other hand, made some useful movements in midfield but lacked cohesion when in a striking position. The first half ended goalless.
Defence error
Immediately at the start of the second half, the visiting team scored their first goal through a defensive error. Hayles left his line to pick up a ball, and Leroy Dias miskicked, allowing the speedy Sutcliffe to pounce on the ball and score.
The Kingston College defence was kept very busy, and this caused the linkmen to retreat. In so doing, they could not give the necessary support to the forwards. They, however, got a glorious opportunity to equalise when Lorne Donaldson kicked wide of an empty goal, and Michael Murray booted one high over the bar.
The limping Sutcliffe was replaced on the United team by Brendon McKelvey. KC’s forwards were getting into the game much more at this stage, and tried shots at the goal, but they were off target.
Nearing the end, and after a couple of changes by both teams, Manchester increased their lead when, from one of their many dangerous corner kicks, an Albert Hannon shot hit the upright before scoring.
In the first match of the double-header, Excelsior defeated Jamaica College 1-0 on a first-half penalty by George Thomas.

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