Hydel pull off KC smash and grab

DEFENDING CHAMPIONS Kingston College (KC) suffered a shock 1-0 defeated to Hydel in their Group Two ISSA/WATA Manning Cup round-of-16 encounter yesterday at Stadium East.

The defeat was the first for the Vassell Reynolds-coached KC, who are favourites to retain their title. Abraham Joseph scored the lone goal for Hydel in the 82nd minute.

With the victory, the Alex Thomas-coached Hydel have now put themselves in a very strong position to qualify for the quarter-finals of the competition.

In the group’s other game, Calabar whipped Campion College 4-1. In the opening match of the double-header at the Stadium East field, Excelsior whipped Wolmer’s Boys’ 3-0.

Meanwhile, Many-time champions Jamaica College (JC) and Eltham High played out an exciting 2-2 draw at Old Hope Road.

The Dark Blues ended the game with 10 men, after Jabari Howell was sent off after picking up a second yellow card in the 68th minute.

Ian Forbes, manager of JC, said the game was challenging, forcing them to pull out all the stops to secure a point.

“It is a very tough game for us, because Eltham got a penalty early and they went ahead, and we equalised at the start of the second half,” said Forbes.

“I think from thereon it was a fierce battle between both teams.

“We went down to 10 men and so Eltham went ahead, but we dug deep and we were able to level the scoring; and so, all in all, it was also an exciting game,” Forbes added.

In the opening match of the double-header, former champions Mona outclassed St Jago 4-1. Niguan Allen (44th), Nathaniel McCathy (53rd), Syle McFarlene (70th), and Sean Leighthon (90th) were the goal scorers for Mona, who led 1-0 at half-time. Richard Lewis scored for St Jago in the 49th minute of the game.

The Craig Butler-coached Mona are one of the favourites to regain the title they first won in 2023.

Yesterday’s results

Excelsior 3-0 Wolmer’s

Mona 4-1 St Jago

St Catherine 0-0 Vauxhall

Calabar 4-1 Campion College

Hydel 1-0 Kingston College

St Andrew Technical 1-0 Tivoli Gardens

Jamaica College 2-2 Eltham

Charlie Smith 4-2 St George’s College