CATHERINE HALL, St James — Defending champions Jamaica College came away with a point after surrendering the lead twice in a 2-2 draw against Calabar High in their ISSA/Flow Manning Cup opener at the Montego Bay Sports Complex yesterday.

Khori Edmond scored twice for Jamaica College in the 26th and 56th minutes, but Calabar equalised through Scott Moody and Romaine Rallyns in the 48th and 65th minutes, respectively.

The Bradley Stewartcoached Calabar High just missed stealing all three points after a free kick from substitute Mario Salesman came back off the underside of the cross bar in time added, as goalkeeper Jahmarlie Waite was left beaten.

Understandably, the mood on either side was different at the final whistle, as Stewart was happy with the point, while his counterpart Miguel Coley was not.

“All things considered we are happy with the point. It’s a fair result with the odds stacked against us and the boys did very well today,” Stewart told the Jamaica Observer.

Stewart, who is in his second season at the Red Hills Road-based school, added that he has high hopes for his team packed with seasoned players as they performed to expectation.

Coley lamented the score line. “We are not satisfied with a draw at all and we played well enough to win today (yesterday).

There are some things we have to improve on, and now that I have some time with them we will be working hard,” the assistant national coach assured.

The game started in cool and overcast conditions before heavy rains forced spectators to head for shelter mid-way the first half. It was Calabar that had the first real chance at goal, but Jamaica College took the lead when Edmond beat goalkeeper Jahson Nash from close range, a lead which they held at the break.

And with the rain easing at the start of the second half, the hapless Waite fumbled a shot from Moody that slid across the line on the wet surface to put Calabar back on level terms three minutes into the resumption.

The goalkeeper’s nightmare continued when Nash fell on the ball just inside his 18-yard box but failed to hold on to it, which allowed Edmond to shot past a lone defender.

However, it was Calabar that ended on a high, when Rallyns curled a right-footed shot past a diving Waite, and could have stolen the points in time added.