JAMAICA College punished a reluctant Ardenne High to maintain the lead atop of Group E with nine points after three games in the 2013 ISSA/LIME Manning Cup campaign at Ardenne Road yesterday.

Skipper Junior Flemmings put the Old Hope Road boys ahead in the 29th minute from a free kick just outside the box. Allando Brown increased the lead in the 73rd minute after the Ardenne defence failed to clear the ball out of harm’s way. Two minutes later Raffique Bryan made it 3-0 with a fierce header after rising above the Ardenne defence. Ramone Howell then scrambled the ball across the line in time added (90th+3) to complete the route.

Both teams approached the game with goalscoring intent, but the uneven surface at Ardenne Road did not lend itself to good ball control and the home team suffered most from being wayward when an opportunity presented itself.

It was not until near the half-hour mark after the goal was scored that Ardenne began to take note of their profligacy. The hosts, despite not scoring, looked dangerous at times, and this made the hard-running JC continue to press for more goals. Soon after the restart Ardenne forward Travis Grant wasted the best chance of scoring to bring the teams even. After going clear of the JC defender Shawn Saunders, and with the goalkeeper at his mercy Grant blasted his shot wide.

On seeing this, JC raised their game another notch and laid siege at the Ardenne defence. When under serious pressure something has to give and with 17 minutes remaining Brown increased the lead, followed by goals from Brown and Howell.