Jamaica College (JC) sent a strong warning to their rivals in this year’s Inter-secondary Schools Sports Association/Digicel Manning Cup competition by beating hosts Pembroke Hall 9-0 in their opening match on Tuesday.

JC were led to victory by a hat-trick from striker Giovannie Taylor, who scored in the fifth and 45th minute, contributing to a 2-0 lead at half-time. He claimed the third in the 80th and was well supported by Nashordo Gibbs, who scored a brace in the 39th and 64th minute.

Javaun Mills (72nd), Dujoni Thompson (78th), and substitutes Jamone Howell (87th) and Keshaun-Lee Chin (90th) were the other scorers for Davion Ferguson’s team.

The match was a one-sided affair, with JC, who last won the title in 2022, dominating in all areas. Pembroke Hall failed to manage a shot on target in the first half, as they were kept on the back foot deep in their own half by the relentless JC side.

JC stepped up the tempo in the second period as they ran circles around Pembroke Hall, who failed to put any meaningful passes together to trouble their opponents. JC went on to score six goals in the half to run out comfortable winners in the match.

Ferguson, while pleased with the performance, said there’s more to come from his team this season.

“You always want to start with a win because nine goals in any game is a big win, and that was what we wanted to do,” he said. “The performance, in some parts, I think, was good. I don’t think the surface allowed us to play how we wanted to, but overall, I think it was a positive start for us.

“I don’t think we want to send any message. What I think is that we want to continue to improve and try as best as possible to focus on ourselves and not really look outside, as the external is out of our control.”

JC were knocked out at the quarter-final round last season, and Ferguson says their main focus this year is to go beyond that mark.

“Every year, JC enters this competition to do well, and once we give our best, wherever that takes us, we will be satisfied,” he said. “This year is a new year, and these boys are a lot more experienced. A year in football is a lot, and I think they are maturing well and I think they are in for a really good season.”

Yesterday’s results

Hydel 9, Ardenne 0

Clan Carthy 0, Eltham 5

Ascot 1, Bridgeport 0

St George’s College 2, Holy Trinity 0