AFTER a physical and tense encounter at Stadium East on Friday, Mona High Technical Director Craig Butler says his team was unfairly treated throughout their 1-1 draw with many-time champions Jamaica College (JC) in Zone A of the ISSA/Digicel Manning Cup quarter-final round. The defending champions drew first blood in the 35th minute, thanks to a well-taken strike from Sean Leighton.

However Mona, who were already without key midfielder Carlton Brown, suffered a major blow when his midfield partner Alex Sauzo was forced off with a leg injury.

JC went on to dominate the second half and were eventually rewarded with a penalty which Captain Dyllan John converted in the 66th minute.

Butler says his team was on the wrong end of many decisions and deserved more from the game.

“I thought the team played very well without our main player, Carlton Brown, against very difficult odds because I don’t think the calls were correct. Very unfair,” he told the
Jamaica Observer.

“I don’t know why [JC] would be displeased, because they got a free penalty when there was no infraction at all. They got to tackle the way they wanted, possibly destroying a kid’s career by jumping in his knee with studs up. That’s very dishonourable.”

Butler’s Assistant Coach Dane Peralto says the team missed the presence of Suazo and Brown, as they were unable to play the way they wanted.

“Today was just a little difficult in terms of availability of players,” he said. “Defensive midfield is a tough area and our style of play, it’s a lot of work. Having lost one and then losing the second one makes it difficult for us, and that caused some issues.”

JC’s Head Coach Davion Ferguson, however, says his team dealt with Mona’s intensity well and should have been victorious.

“We matched them well. They’re a quality team but very physical. Our boys stood up to the task; we managed the affairs very well,” Ferguson said. “I’m pleased with the performance, disappointed with the result. It’s a game we wanted to win, it’s a game we thought we should have won. In the first half I think Mona got the better of us in some instances but in the second half we dominated and created some chances which we should have scored — but some decisions in the final third and the field’s condition wasn’t good.”

With two games to go in the quarter-final round, Ferguson says the team’s health is priority as they try to get into the semi-finals.

“The key is recovery,” he said. “The turnaround time is short, the conditions were tough to play on, so recovery is the key. We have our methods in terms of how we try to get them recovered, so that’s the key.”

The draw means both teams share a point in Zone A, with Kingston College (KC) leading the group after a 5-0 win over Tivoli Gardens.

Only the top two in the group advance to the last four. In Zone B, St Catherine have the early advantage after a 2-0 win over Campion.

Last season’s runners-up Hydel will play today at Stadium East at 3:00 pm, after their game at JC’s Ashenheim Stadium on Friday was postponed due to a waterlogged field.

Friday’s results

• Mona 1, JC 1

• St Catherine 2, Campion 0

• KC 5, Tivoli 0

Saturday’s game

• Excelsior vs Hydel @ Stadium East at 3:00 pm