JC, George's march on - JamaicaObserver.com

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JC, George's march on

Angry father disrupts Manning Cup game

Wednesday, November 04, 2009

Walker Cup finalists Jamaica College (JC) and St George's College kicked off the second round of the Pepsi/Digicel schoolboy Manning Cup with victories over Calabar High and Wolmer's Boys' respectively in Group One at the Constant Spring playing field yesterday.

JC defeated Calabar 2-1 through goals from Andre Messam (31st minute) and Ashani Walker (92nd). Kyle Scott (51st) scored for Calabar.

Marvin Morgan (left) of St George's College dribbles away from Claude Allen of Wolmer's Boys' during their second-round Manning Cup match at Constant Spring yesterday. St George's College won 3-1. (Photo: Karl McLarty)

Defending champions St George's College came, from behind to beat Wolmers 3-1. Chris Waugh put Wolmer's ahead on 23 minutes, but Deshawn Forbes (34th), Marvin Morgan (50th) and Romario Jones (57th) rallied the Light Blues to victory.

However, the day was almost spoilt by an ugly incident in which the alleged father of Calabar player Chevone Marsh intervened in an altercation between Marsh and JC's Necas Collins.

It all started when Collins made a challenge on Marsh in the 61st minute and the two got involved in a verbal exchange.

To everyone's surprise, a spectator from the stands entered the fray and pushed Collins in the face before being carted away by security personnel.

The incident angered officials of both teams; however, ISSA's Competitions Officer George Forbes assured that it was an isolated incident and he is confident adequate security is being provided for the matches.

Calabar's Hakeem Spencer (left) and Jamaica College's Nico Wright engage in an aerial battle for possession during their Group One second-round Manning Cup match at Constant Spring yesterday. Jamaica College won 2-1. (Photo: Karl McLarty)

"We had 12 police (personnel) strategically placed and if someone decides to jump the fence and disturb the game, it means we would have to have one police (officer) to each spectator if we were to avoid situations of this kind," Forbes reasoned.

He also used the opportuntity to appeal to parents and spectators to allow the students to contest the game on the field of play.

"I don't know if any charges were pressed by the other boy (Collins), but if he is willing we at ISSA would support him," Forbes added.

Before that, Andre Messam put JC ahead in the 31st minute, but Kyle Scott equalised for the Alrick Clarke-coached Calabar six minutes after the break.

And despite looking a bit lethargic, JC continued to look the more dangerous of the teams and they got the break through in time added on.

Raheem Manning cut inside on his left and his strike at goal was blocked by a defender. But the ball fell kindly to Kenrick Reeves, who had his effort blocked by Chevon Powell from 12 yards.

The energetic Walker quickly pounced on the rebound, however, and tapped home for the winner.

JC's coach Alfred Henry, although happy with the win, expressed disappointment with the organisers for what he pointed to as slack security.

"This is a top-level competition for youngsters and you cannot protect them from spectators?" Henry asked.

"This is crazy, he could have been killed," he fumed.

Calabar's Clarke also condemned the incident, calling it "disgraceful".
"The players are here to enjoy themselves win, lose or draw," he stated.

In the other game, St George's had to come from a goal down to beat Wolmer's.

St George's had the better start, but Wolmer's took the lead when Chris Waugh was left free to run from the half-line before unleashing a shot past Windell Reid from the edge of the area.

But St George's were back on even terms 11 minutes later when Deshawn Forbes redeemed himself after Saturday's Walker Cup final penalty shoot-out miss with a majestic curling free-kick that flew through the fingers of goalkeeper Amal Knight.

Five minutes after the break, the enterprising Marvin Morgan left a host of defenders in his wake before crossing to McKauley Tulloch, whose redirection was parried away by Knight.

However, Romario Jones, who was way out of the picture, ran more than 10 metres to steal the ball from between two defenders and smashed first time into the roof of the net.

Seven minutes later, Morgan added one of his own when he sped through on a pass from midfield and cracked an unstoppable shot past Knight.

Despite the North Street boys wasting a number of chances to increase their advantage, coach Neville Bell was pleased nonetheless.

"The problem is that we've been giving up early goals, but the good thing is that we're able to come back, and I was impressed with that today," said Bell.

Wolmer's coach Michael Francis said his team played a poor second half and suffered the consequences.

The competition continues this afternoon with action in Group Two at the same venue.

At 1:00 pm, Waterford High face Norman Manley High, while Eltham High and Bridgeport meet in another game at 3:00 pm.

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