Penwood buoyed after holding KC

COACH OF Penwood High School Robert Garwood is optimistic his team can advance to the second round of this season’s ISSA Manning Cup after turning in a spirited display to hold Kingston College (KC) to a 2-2 draw in Group C at Maverley playing field yesterday.

The home team stunned the overwhelming favourites, just 15 seconds into the game, Javanny Bullock racing through right from the kickoff to fire a shot past Dominic Robinson in goal.

The ‘purples’ created a number of chances before Deshawn Byfield stabbed home a rebound to pull Kingston College level in the 37th minute.

However, Jason Keyes headed home Lamar Robinson’s cross to restore Penwood’s advantage less than a minute after the restart.

Garwood’s team kept their more fancied rivals at bay up to the 90th minute, but Matrim Martin capitalised on a miscalculated back pass to goalkeeper Richard Johnson, and Byfield collected the rebound and slotted home his second goal, one minute into added time.

Despite giving up that late equaliser, Garwood said their form from the preseason is coming to fruition and he hopes this result can inspire them to greater things this season.

“We started out saying we want to qualify from the zone first. That is our first objective and we are taking it one match at a time,” he said

“We are glad we got one of the favourites to play in our first game. And KC were asking questions because we did well in our preseason and it was proven today, the questions they were asking they were really concerned and we should have won the game.”

Nevertheless, Garwood is pleased with the way the team played on the day. “Performance was good. I like the performance. Defensively, we have to do some work and I will go back to the drawing board defensively and do some work. But the attacking part of the team is very good,” he added.

Kingston College coach Vassell Reynolds said the early goal unsettled his team and they never fully recovered.

“The 15-second goal shook us up a bit, and we took some time to settle down. We panicked and that was way too early to panic. And then we started to chase the game.

“We scored the equaliser and thought we would settle but we conceded a second one before we really got going,” he recapped.

Acording to Reynolds, in the second half, KC gave everything and played well enough to have won the game.

“We create chances but my concern is the way we conceded. We gave up two silly goals. But credit to Penwood, they employed a tactic to run down the time and it frustrated us and disrupted our rhythm.”

“If this is to come, let it come now. It’s an early wake-up call. Your first encounter, no matter the team you are playing against, there are always going to be jitters.

“We got one point today. We expected three. It is a setback. But we will be fine. We will get rid of this as soon as possible and be ready for our next game Saturday.”

Yesterday’s Results

Zone B

Tarrant 0-4 Charlie Smith

Gaynstead 0-8 Jonothan Grant

Zone C

Penwood 2-2 Kingston College

Cumberland 0-4 Campion

Meadowbrook 1-2 Jose Marti

Zone E

Tivoli 2-1 Denham Town

St Jago 1-3 v Wolmers