Manchester get one over on Cornwall

Manchester High School gained a measure of revenge in the Ben Francis Cup knockout competition yesterday, eliminating seven-time champions Cornwall College 2-0 at Manchester High.

Manchester will await the outcome of today’s clash between defending champions Clarendon College and Ocho Rios High at the Drax Hall Sports Complex to learn the identity of their quarterfinal opponents.

The hosts struck twice inside a five-minute spell early in the contest, with Jahleel McKenzie opening the scoring in the 11th minute before Jequil Forbes doubled the advantage five minutes later, leaving Cornwall with a mountain to climb for the remainder of the match.

Manchester coach Johnoy Chambers said his game plan was to turn the contest into a transitional battle to counter Cornwall’s possession-based approach.

“It wasn’t a case of revenge. It’s just a case of we were very unlucky the last time we played them. That’s something that I would have told the boys and sold to them, and they bought into it,” said Chambers.

“Cornwall wanted to possess the game, and as such, our game plan was to turn it into a transitional battle. They played and blocked well, so we had to just take this one on the chin and move forward.”

Chambers noted that while his team’s early goals were part of the tactical plan, Cornwall started the match strongly and remained competitive throughout.

“I must say commendations to their goalkeeper, by far one of the most talented goalkeepers I’ve seen in a long while. His reaction, ball delivery, he is a standout talent. It is somebody that we should groom in terms of national treasure if he remains humble,” added Chambers.

Meanwhile, Cornwall coach Leacroft Lettman attributed the defeat to his team’s sluggish start.

“The game started really flat. We tried to get them back into the game, but then two goals were scored at a very crucial point. We tried to get them back into the game but didn’t manage to get back a goal,” said Lettman.

“We have to focus on the daCosta Cup now. So we just have to recuperate, organise again, come back and get the boys upbeat and ready again,” added Lettman.

In one of the more entertaining encounters of the round, McKenzie dribbled past several Cornwall defenders before firing home to break the deadlock.

Five minutes later, Forbes doubled Manchester’s advantage to put his team firmly in control.

Manchester pushed hard for a third goal on several occasions, but Cornwall goalkeeper Carlyle Tinglin produced a string of impressive saves to keep the scoreline respectable.

There were also games in the ISSA daCosta Cup.

YESTERDAY’S RESULTS

Ben Francis Cup

Manchester High 2-0 Cornwall

daCosta Cup

St James High 0-0 Irwin High

Knox College 6-0 Troy High

Mile Gully 3-0 Winston Jones

Herbert Morrison 0-0 Green Pond

Muschett 0-0 Spot Valley

Lacovia 0-0 Lewisville