Waterford High's Ricardo Davis (right) beats a challenge from Jamaica's College's Adrian Christian (left) hits a shot to score his team's opening goal 'keeper Kirk Hamilton, during the ISSA/Pepsi/Digicel Manning Cup match at Spanish Town Prison Oval yesterday. Waterford won 2-1. - Ian Allen/Staff Photographer
St George's College and Waterford High surged to the early lead in ISSA/Pepsi/Digicel Manning Cup Group Three, following identical 2-1 wins over Eltham High and defending champions Jamaica College (JC) at the Spanish Town Prison Oval yesterday.
While St George's had to battle their way from behind against a rugged Eltham, Waterford scored two goals in 10 minutes to stun the cup holders.
St George's found themselves a goal down when Sean Elliston took advantage of a poorly cleared effort, charging into the area to fire past George's goalkeeper Jevaughn Lennon.
Stole the game
However, Kemal Malcolm, the competition's leading scorer and captain of the North Street team, brought them level when he pounced on a 56th minute spill by Eltham goalkeeper Francios Pusey to net his 21st goal of the season.
Deshawn Forbes then stole the game for the 'Light Blues' in the 76th minute when he curled a free kick around a three-man Eltham wall and into the net.
In the second match, Ricardo Davis put the Portmore-based school ahead after 39 minutes. A nifty touch on a ball booted high out of goal by Waterford custodian Peter Harrison, took him around his defender and as he broke into the box fired, he past Kirk Hamilton.
Another goal from Watford early in the second half from Ricardo Smith put JC even further behind.
Being two goals behind, JC came into their own and began dominating the possession. Despite their positive play, they were, however, a bit lucky to find themselves on level terms in the 73rd minute. A ball cleared by the Waterford back line ricocheted off the boot of Saeed Robinson and over the head of Waterford custodian Walters, then landed in the goal.
Despite his satisfaction with the win, Waterford coach Floyd Coke believes his team could have put in a better performance.
"It wasn't one of best performances, I think we could have won the game by a larger margin. We got the opportunities," he said. "I think after scoring the goal we got comfortable and conceded a lot of pressure, we have to work on our concentration."
Not end of road
Although the reigning champs are off to a tough start, JC manager Ian Forbes does not believe it is the end of the road.
"We didn't play with a lot of energy today, it was very disappointing. We got our chances but we just didn't finish. We lost but we are not out of it. I am confident that we will be able to bounce back."
In today's action, early Group One leaders Wolmer's will look to hold on to their advantage when they tackle Bridgeport at the Constant Spring Complex. In a double-header at the ground, Kingston College (KC) and Norman Manley will both be desperately hunting for a win having, like Bridgeport, only taken one point from their opening fixture.
The group leaders will be strengthened by the return of both head coach Michael Francis and midfield maestro Akeem Brown. Both Brown and Francis received one game suspensions as a fall-out of the JC fracas in the teams' final preliminary group game. They will, however, be without another key player, Atiba Morgan, who received a red card in first game of the round.
Today's games
Wolmer's vs Bridgeport at Constant Spring field at 1 p.m.
KC vs Norman Manley at Constant Spring Field at 3 p.m