4 weeks ago
7
Jonathan Grant head coach Kemeel Wolfe has demanded more from his players ahead of the second round, after they defeated Gaynstead High 3-1 yesterday to advance as the second automatic qualifiers from Zone B in the ISSA Manning Cup competition. The match was played at the Jonathan Grant school field.
Wolfe said there was much for his team to improve on, despite their win to secure their passage to the next round.
They finished the zone in second place with 21 points, behind zone winners and defending Manning Cup champions Mona High, with 28 and ahead of third-placed Charlie Smith High on 18.
Gaynstead finished the first round without a win all season, as they remain rooted at the foot of the zone without a point.
Wolfe, however, was not pleased with the team’s performance, as he felt his players allowed selfishness to creep into their play and made the match more difficult than it needed to be.
“We’re grateful for the win because this win takes us to second in the group and now we are aware of the teams that we will be playing in the next round. But, I don’t think we were clinical in front of goal today,” Wolfe said after the match.
“I think we were a bit selfish. We could have made it a little bit easier by just passing the ball and giving the teammates the opportunity. I think, today, a little bit of selfishness crept into the team. But, with youngsters, this was always going to be the case because they are not professionals.”
Despite their constant pressure throughout the first half, Jonathan Grant found themselves a goal behind after Nathan Henry gave Gaynstead the lead in the 28th minute.
The hosts pulled level just before the half-time whistle, as Nathaniel Campbell found the back of the net with the last kick of the first half.
They would continue this form when Rickelmie Crossby gave them the lead in the 51st minute before Alando Daley showed his turn of pace to outrun his marker and seal the win with a neat finish minutes before the final whistle.
Wolfe said the team will have to improve their performance if they are to compete against much sterner opposition in the second round of the Manning Cup.
“We have to tighten up our game because we don’t have much time before the next round starts on Saturday,” he explained.
“How we operate in front of goal is one of the areas that we need to correct. Defensively, I think we work well as a unit but our transition game is a little bit slow. So that is something, also, that we are trying to work on with the boys.”
The win means Jonathan Grant have been drawn in Group Two of the second round alongside Eltham High, Tivoli Gardens High and Excelsior High.
For Charlie Smith, despite missing out on the automatic qualifying spot, they will advance as one of the best third-placed teams and will join Jamaica College, Calabar High and St Catherine High in Group Four of the second round.
Yesterday’s games:
Jonathan Grant 3-1 Gaynstead High
Today’s games (second round)
STATHS vs Wolmer’s at Stadium East (2 p.m.)
Mona High vs St Jago High at Stadium East (4:10 p.m.)
Tomorrow’s games
St George’s vs Campion at St George’s College (3 p.m.)
Eltham vs Excelsior at GC Foster College (1:30 p.m.)
St Catherine vs Charlie Smith at GC Foster College (3:30 p.m.)
Tivoli vs Jonathan Grant at Jamaica College (3 p.m.)
Jamaica College vs Calabar at Stadium East (2 p.m.)
Kingston College vs Hydel at Stadium East (4:10 p.m.)
English (US) ·