‘We can match up with anybody’

KEON BRODERICK, coach of former champions Excelsior, says discipline will be key to determining how far his team goes in this year’s ISSA/WATA Manning Cup competition.

Excelsior, who remain unbeaten this season, recorded their seventh win with a comfortable 2-0 victory over hosts St George’s College at Winchester Park yesterday. Tarrence Williams in the 20th minute and Kimarley Scott in the 85th were the goalscorers for Excelsior.

It was Excelsior’s second victory over St George’s this season, following their 5-1 thrashing of the same opponents a few weeks ago. The Mountain View-based school now lead the zone with 23 points, followed by St Jago (19), St George’s (18), and Hydel (16). In the zone’s other game, Hydel defeated St Jago 3-2. The defeat was St George’s third loss of the season from nine games.

After yesterday’s victory, Broderick said his team has the qualities to match up with any other side this year, but they must maintain their discipline and composure to achieve their goals.

“I believe that self-discipline will be very important for us in this competition,” said Broderick.

“We are very solid because we are balanced this year. Last year, we struggled defensively, but this year we have a very good defence and our attack is very good as well. I think we can match up with anybody in schoolboy football this year.

“I think for us it’s not anything that we do on the field because our boys are talented and they are well coached, but it is just how we manage ourselves that is going to be the deciding factor to see how far we go in the competition.”

Excelsior showed their intent from the opening whistle as they dominated the early exchanges of the match. Williams, who has been outstanding for his team this season, netted the opening goal when he volleyed from close range to give his team a 1-0 lead at halftime.

Scott, the leading goalscorer in the Manning Cup last year with 29 goals, sealed the victory two minutes from full time when he dribbled past three St George’s defenders and fired home from point-blank range.

Broderick noted that he was very pleased with his team’s efforts.

“All round, it was a good performance from the team and a good result for us. We were very threatening when we went into attack as well,” he said.

Yesterday’s results

Excelsior 2-0 St George’s College

KC 4-2 Charlie Smith

Hydel 3-2 St Jago

Haile Selassie 2-2 Tivoli Gardens