KC, Mona through, St George’s, Charlie out

KINGSTON COLLEGE (KC) continued their dominance of the ISSA/Digicel Manning Cup with a 5-0 win over Charlie Smith yesterday at Stadium East that put them into the competition’s semi-final.

Teyshawn Mattis (34th and 56th) scored a brace before the ‘Purples’ ran away with the contest after the break.

The result also means St George’s College are out of the Manning Cup after they were pipped by Mona High School 1-0 in the evening’s other fixture.

Mona are the fourth and final team into the Manning Cup semi-finals.

KC assistant coach Jermaine Miller said it was a testing first half but they held their nerve and got it together.

“Charlie Smith is always a tough team to play against. They always come out aggressively, and they did that in the first half.

“Plus, playing against the breeze, it took us some time to adjust to our possession game and start creating chances, but after that it was full control for us,” he said.

According to Miller, the coaching staff was pleased with the team’s progress at this stage.

“It is very good. We are pleased as a group. The objective is to take each game as it comes, and that is what we have been doing.

“But every time we play, we go to get three points, and that is what we are going for the next game,” he added.

Charlie started strongly and had their fair share of chances, leaving only themselves to blame for not getting a goal before the break.

KC took the lead in the 34th minute, catching their opponents on the break, with Mattis turning home the opener to put them up at the break.

However, after the interval, the Trench Town school could barely get out of their half and were put to the sword as Samuel Shakes (50th), Mattis (56th), Damain Smith (76th), and Jaheim McClean (88th) added further strikes to put the game beyond reach.

Charlie Smith coach Eugene Williams said the ball didn’t roll their way on the day.

“They are youngsters, you cannot bash them. But the score is not a true reflection of the game.

“We dominated the first half and they got a break and scored. We came out second half and got on the front foot again, and a player with a speculative effort from 40-45 yards scored. So you see that we can play, but the ball just never fell for us today,” he said.

Charlie Smith are now out after a second defeat from as many games.

Mona assistant coach believes the job isn’t done even as he praised the Mona performance against a spirited St George’s.

“We have all to play for (Saturday) because top spot is the objective. When you get top spot you will play second place in the next section, so to avoid Jamaica College in the semi-final is an objective of ours.”

livingston.scott@gleanerjm.com

Yesterday’s results

Charlie Smith 0-5 Kingston College

Mona High 1-0 St George’s College