KINGSTON, Jamaica – Mona High School clinched a spot in the semifinals of the ISSA/Digicel Manning Cup competition for the very first time on Wednesday when they clipped St George’s College 1-0 to move to an unassailable six points with one match left to play in the quarterfinal round.

After Kingston College beat Charlie Smith High 5-0 in the curtain raiser at the Stadium East Field, a win for Mona in the feature game meant that both winners on the day advanced to the semi-finals with a game to spare.

Assistant coach Winston Taylor had high praises for his players, especially the defensive aspects of their play, after the historic win.

“I think it was a really excellent performance. It was a good victory. I think that was the best St George’s all season. They really came at us in the second half and our defense was really resilient, in getting the result.”

He was happy that the team was able to create history and is looking forward to challenge for top honours.

“The semi-finals for Mona, the first time, I think everybody should be elated as the school community and I think we really want to make a final push to get to the final or win it actually.”

It was the first time for the season that Mona failed to score more than one goal in a game and Taylor thought that the pressure of trying to make the semi-finals for the first time, may have had a psychological impact on the players.

“I think the guys actually played their worst of the season…because normally Mona is free-scoring, rampant and the first half we missed quite a few chances and I think that made the game very difficult at the latter stages.”

He thinks however, that the question of Mona’s ability to defend has now been emphatically answered.

“Defensively it was a very sturdy performance, because the narrative surrounding Mona is that Mona cannot defend and I think that’s our fourth clean sheet on the bounce and I think the guys are really kicking on now,” he stated.

Mona will play Kingston College on Saturday for group honours and Taylor is keen on winning that game.

“We have all to play for on Saturday because top spot is the objective because when you get top spot in the zone you play second place on the next section.”

“So, to avoid Jamaica College in the semi-final should be an objective of ours because I know that they are equally good so you really want to get the second-place team on that particular section, but anybody come on the day I think Mona can adjust, Mona can get it” he said.

“I believe in my team. I think we are as good as anyone in the competition, and I think on our day we can actually put in a five-star performance, if everything clicks and we are firing on all cylinders,” he concluded.