... Wolmer's KO defending champs George's

Jermaine Lannaman

Star Writer

Kingston College (KC) coach Donovan Hayles says a never-say-die attitude and belief in self were reasons for their 1-0 win over Charlie Smith in quarter-final action of the ISSA/Gatorade/Digicel Manning Cup at Constant Spring Complex yesterday.

The 'Purples', who entered the match as underdogs, put in a workmanlike performance and thanks to a Dorvil Jackson strike, in the 81st minute, advanced to next Tuesday's semi-finals where they will play Wolmer's, who defeated defending champions St George's 2-1, also at Constant Spring, in another quarter-final.

The winners of today's two other quarter-finals, Excelsior versus Bridgeport, and Jamaica College versus Spanish Town, which will also be played at Constant Spring, will contest the other semi-final.

"I come from a KC culture where you never say die, and that is what I saw with these youngsters today," said Hayles.

"They showed commitment and self-belief and played together as a team, not as individual stars, which for me says a lot for us going forward."

The game saw both teams trading punches in the first half with Charlie Smith enjoying majority of possession and KC creating the best scoring chances.

The momentum, however, shifted considerably in the second, with KC literally camping out in Charlie Smith's half and it came as no surprise when they took the lead.

Meanwhile, the feature game, which assisted in the venue being virtually full to capacity, saw Wolmer's ending St George's opportunity of another treble with a come-from-behind win.

St George's, after enjoying a fair amount of possession, took the lead through a header from Cordel Benbow 28th in the minute.

However, thanks to a well-placed left-foot grounder from outstanding 15-year-old Jaheel Hyde in the 50th minute, and an equally well-placed header from former national Under-17 forward Jason Wright three minutes later. Wolmer's took the lead, and never looked back.

"It was a game in which the ascendancy switched from team to team in the first half," said Wolmer's coach Ludlow Bernard.

"But I think we played a good second half after having a strong word with the players after half-time, and after getting the equaliser and then the decider defended fairly well."

St George's coach Neville Bell said Wolmer's deserved to win.

"Congrats to Wolmer's, I thought they played well," he said. "I thought we started to play when we went down 2-1. We haven't lost for a while and I thought that it would come sooner or later."