PENWOOD HIGH School mark a blotch on the almost perfect first round of the ISSA Manning Cup for Kingston College (KC), and today, when the teams meet at Stadium East, the winningest school in the competition’s history will try to remove the stain.
KC, with 13 points, and Penwood, with 10, sit first and second in Zone C respectively. The two last met in the opening game of the season where Penwood stunned them to record a hard-fought 2-2 draw.
The boys from North Street had conceded in the opening seconds of the game and, despite their multiple chances throughout, could not find the difference by the full-time whistle.
KC’s head coach, Vassell Reynolds, said the match was nothing more than an early stumble and a wake-up call for his players who have since recorded four wins in a row, scoring 32 times without conceding.
Recovery mode
Penwood have gone on to win against Meadowbrook, Cumberland, and Jose Marti Technical.
This is vastly different from Penwood’s performances last season, where they only won once in 10 first-round games.
Still, Penwood are in recovery mode having lost 2-0 to Campion College in their most recent outing.
This means Penwood, while having a good season, still need results if they are to keep one of the two second-round qualifying spots.
Campion will play hosts to Cumberland today and are in pole position to challenge for one of those spots.
Campion sit third in the group, tied on 10 points with Penwood, who boast a better goal difference.
The Campionites will feel this is their window of opportunity to leapfrog Penwood in the zone.
The last time these two teams met, Campion came out 4-0 victors and have only grown more confident since.
Cumberland slumped to another defeat in their latest fixture, losing out 2-1 to Jose Marti.
They currently sit at the foot of the zone standings, with one point in their last five games.
All fixtures are set to kick off at 3:30 p.m.
Today’s games
KC vs Penwood at Stadium East
Campion College vs Cumberland High at Campion College
Jose Marti vs Meadowbrook at Jose Marti
Waterford vs Charlie Smith at Waterford
Mona vs Jonathan Grant at Mona High
Tarrant vs Gaynstead at JACISERA Park
Camperdown vs Kingston Tech at Alpha Institute
St Catherine High vs Holy Trinity at Prison Oval
Yesterday’s results
Eltham 2-0 Hydel
Wolmer’s 5-1 Denham Town
St Jago 5-0 St Mary’s College
Tivoli 5-0 Edith Dalton James