St George’s College scored an emotional 4-1 win over Greater Portmore High School in their Group A ISSA/FLOW Manning Cup game at Winchester Park yesterday, watched by the tearful eyes of Dominic James’ parents from the team’s bench.

A mourning St George’s moved to the top of the group with maximum nine points from three games, ahead of Greater Portmore on seven points.

Former National Under-17 player Hakim Williams bundled home from a corner kick in the 40th minute in front of a packed and vociferous crowd.

Then the talented Akeem Robotham doubled the advantage in the 50th minute following good work by Alex Marshall and Jevoun McKellar that opened up the Greater Portmore backline for his easy side foot home from 10 metres. It was his third goal of the season.

Greater Portmore pulled one back in the 58th minute courtesy of Tahj Williams with a good solo effort.

But the “Light Blues” were not to be denied and Jevoun McKellar scored the goal of the game in the 72nd minute with a beautiful shot that nestled into the ‘pigeon hole’ after collecting a pass just outside the box. Substitute Akiri Jackson put the icing on the cake in stoppage time in the 90th+4 minutes.

It was a very gutsy win for a St George’s outfit still smarting from the death of the skipper Dominic James on Tuesday.

St George’s College’s Assistant Coach Marcel Gayle said the incident has brought the team much closer together. “God always work in mysterious ways and we really can’t question the Father; He knows best. But we are grateful today, we came out with all that has happened to us and got four goals and the spirited performances of the guys,” said Gayle.

“It’s a mixed feeling; I don’t know how they did it. But we missed Dominic and we have to go on. May his soul rest in peace,” he added.

A disappointed Greater Portmore coach Patrick Lewis said his team didn’t follow the game plan, hence their demise.

“St George’s had tremendous crowd support and I guess that’s what got the better of them,” reasoned Lewis.

“As much as we have empathy on the St George’s team, we always wanted to play, so we were prepared from in the week to play on Friday,” he added.

The game was played in front of one of the largest gatherings for a schoolboy football match in many years, including Dominic James’ parents, David and Denese James, and the “Light Blues” lifted themselves admirably for a facile victory.

Jamaica’s 1993 Miss World Lisa Hanna, now the current chairman of the PNP’s Region One and Member of Parliament for St Ann South East, was in attendance and had comforting words for the parents.

Just before the kick-off at 3:00 pm, there was a minute of hand claps in memory of young James and again, at the seventh minute mark, referee Karl Tyrell stopped the game for another round of applause in recognition of James’ favourite number seven, which he wore with distinction. The Georgians sported white kits with the number seven printed on their right sleeves.

“This was his favourite number and Cristiano Ronaldo was his baller, so by honouring him we clapped for a minute at the seventh minute and at the beginning of the game we clapped for a minute,” explained Gayle.

“If we had the control over it we would love to carry it on throughout the tournament, but I don’t know if at the other venues it would be allowed,” said Gayle.