HISTORY was created on Friday evening as Mona High won their first-ever Inter-secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA) Digicel Manning Cup final after a tense 1-0 victory over Hydel High at the National Stadium.

However, the momentous occasion was overshadowed by chaos after the full time whistle, as fans entered the playfield, despite the requests from the stadium announcer throughout the course of the match.

When they wouldn’t exit the field, ISSA President Keith Wellington said the presentation wouldn’t go ahead if the supporters didn’t comply.

Matters got worse when police officers and security personnel started to clash with supporters. It’s alleged that Hydel Head Coach Devon Anderson was struck with a baton during the melee.

After around 10 minutes, and with no end in sight, ISSA called off the presentation. The supporters continued to clash amongst themselves and with the security personnel before the stadium was fully emptied shortly before 9:00 pm.

The grandstand, which was full to capacity, was sent into raptures when Mona took the lead within the first 10 minutes as a low cross into the 18-yard box from Kshaine Gordon found the feet of Demarion Harris who slotted home with ease. Hydel tried to respond and almost found success in the 27th minute when D’Sean Henry fired from the edge of the area, but Mona goalkeeper Akeem Bernard produced a fine instinctive save to keep the score at one.

Mona almost doubled their lead heading into the break but Hydel goalkeeper Tajarie Lee made important saves in the 37th and 45th minutes to keep the Ferry-based boys in the game.

The second half was cagey but Hydel needed the equaliser to get back into the game.

In the 68th minute Ronaldo Barrett fired a powerful effort just outside the 18 but Bernard came up trumps.

That effort provided some spark as Kialand Smith tried his luck from 35 yards which forced a diving save from Bernard.

But Hydel found no luck and Mona’s Romarion Thomas almost put the icing on the cake as his shot hit the crossbar, but the solo goal was enough to give the school urban area honors.

An emotional Mona Head Coach Craig Butler could barely describe the achievement.

“Just happiness, just love, just proud of my team. Proud of the nation, proud of Jamaica. Look what happened after the game. They said it’s the first time of the history they’ve seen the stadium emptied — everybody was on the pitch. So proud of all them. So proud of my players; all of them fought and stuck to the system, stuck to the task, did their job. Proud of my coaching staff; without them I couldn’t have done it — they did everything. I’m so proud of them,” said Butler.

Hydel Head Coach Devon Anderson was sombre after the defeat.

“It was a wonderful season from the boys; I can’t complain. Despite all the obstacles, we reached here. It was just unfortunate we didn’t do what we were supposed to do. The occasion made the inexperience show, especially in the first half. We gave up a soft goal but, nevertheless, I’m proud,” Anderson said.

Mona will have the chance to win the Olivier Shield as they await the winner of the daCosta Cup final between Clarendon College and Glenmuir High on Saturday.