Jamaica College (JC) registered their fifth win of the season when they turned back a determined Hydel High 3-2 at the Caymanas Field on Saturday.

The victory has put the defending champions in a great position to secure top spot in Group F of the ISSA/Digicel Manning Cup.

Hydel had come from behind to draw with JC on the opening day of the season and would have entered Saturday’s game confident of getting another favourable result against the champions, having not lost at home in two years.

JC dominated the game from the outset, however, and were duly rewarded when Javain Thompson scored from almost on the goal line in the 37th minute, thanks to good play from his teammate Norman Campbell.

Hydel had done very little offensively in the first half but went in level at the break when captain Fabiki Farquharson scored directly from a free kick on the stroke of half time.

Tajay Grant and Norman Campbell both scored in the second half to put JC in the driver’s seat at 3-1 before the lively Hydel substitute Jordane Cameron made it 3-2 late on.

Despite the close finish, Andrew Peart, who is in his first season as head coach at JC, was pleased with how his boys performed.

“From the start of the game we were dominant, even in the first few minutes we had about five consecutive corners but the goalkeeper saved some and we didn’t manage to get on the end of some of them, but the intensity was very good today.

“The desire was very good and we kept control, especially in midfield. We managed to keep possession of the ball and when we didn’t have the ball it was us getting close to them to put pressure on them,” he said.

Peart also thought his boys got it tactically correct against their plucky opponents despite the score line.

“We prevented the counter attack which is one of their main weapons and that was very good for us. It’s good that we could manage to get the goals in the second half to go ahead and even though we conceded at the end, which was a little bit disappointing, overall I would say it was a game that we dominated.”

Last year’s leading scorer Shaniel Thomas was noticeably absent and according to Peart, the player was being rested. He did have high praises for the players who took their chances when given a run out.

“We have a host of players who know the system, some didn’t play today. Players came in and players want to do well and that’s the most important thing.”

Corey Bennett, who is a part of the Hydel coaching staff, shrugged off the loss and is focused on advancing to the next round of the competition.

“We have four more crucial games in the return leg and hopefully we can cement our spot to get to the qualifying round,” he said.

Hydel have beaten all their remaining opponents once so far this season and as such Bennett expressed confidence of being able to make the play-off round.

“We are confident of advancing to the next round. Before today we knew we were going to be playing a tough game and hopefully we can rebound from this and bounce back to some wins as of Tuesday.

“We have a tough week so we have to manage our players well and hopefully we will get the results that we want.”

Hydel will travel to Kingston Technical on Tuesday before travelling again to Kingston High on Thursday.

Meanwhile, Jamaica College will host Vauxhall High on Tuesday before travelling to Campion on Friday.

Today’s games

Group C

Meadowbrook High vs

Camperdown High

Jonathan Grant High vs Charlie

Smith

Eltham High vs Norman Manley

Group G

Wolmer’s Boys’ vs Edith Dalton

James

Joe Marti High vs Waterford High

Pembroke Hall vs Holy Trinity