KINGSTON College (KC) Head Coach Vassell Reynolds has described Saturday’s hard-fought 1-0 victory over rivals Calabar High, in Zone A of the ISSA Manning Cup competition, as a big morale booster for his team.

Jaheim McLean scored the all-important goal for KC in the 55th minute in the Stadium East field affair.

The victory was the first win of the season from two matches for KC, this after they were thrashed 4-0 by Hydel in their opening game in the competition.

Reynolds said this win will give his team a lot of confidence for the remainder of the competition.

“This victory will most likely give the players a lot of confidence because there are no easy games for us in this group and our next one is against Camperdown, and so we just have to go back and put in some work on the training ground before that game,” said Reynolds.

“Three points are three points but it was not the best of performance from us. But, we knew that we needed three points from this game because we are coming off a heavy loss in our last game,” he added.

Andrew Price, head coach of Calabar who were suffering their first defeat of the season from two games, said a goalkeeping error cost them the game.

“I think my team played well but it is just unfortunate that they scored that goal against us. I think we were competitive throughout the game because both teams got as good as they gave,” said Price.

“I think that the one error from our goalkeeper decided the game — I think that was a regulation save and he should have really saved that ball — but otherwise, we got some opportunities and we were not clinical in front of goal.”

Calabar dominated the early exchanges and should have taken the lead in the fifth minute when Sheridan Wilson’s powerful right-footed shot from close range struck the crossbar.

Javel Watson’s follow-up shot also struck the crossbar after the ball had fallen nicely for him. Both teams fought very hard for the remainder of the second period but they failed to create meaningful chances.

In fact, KC’s only scoring opportunity in the first half fell to Alex Hislop but his weak effort from 12 yards went wide of the target.

McLean, who was a livewire in the midfield for KC, scored the lone goal of the match for the North Street-based side when his 30-yard shot sailed right through the hands of Calabar custodian Omari Grant.

Despite dominating most of the possession for the remainder of the second stanza, Calabar were kept out by KC’s a very stubborn defensive unit.

In other results, St George’s College clipped Campion College 2-1, while St Jago were leading Wolmer’s 2-0 when the game was called off at half-time due to rain. The match between Hydel and Camperdwon was also called off midway the second period, with Hydel leading their opponents 5-1.