Pulsating contest as St George’s face Jonathan Grant in second round
ASSISTANT coach of St George’s College (STGC) Marcel Gayle says he is expecting a pulsating contest when his side opposes Jonathan Grant in today’s feature match in the their second-round, first-leg contest in the ISSA/Digicel Manning Cup competition at Spanish Town Prison Oval.
STGC, who are one of the favourites to win this year’s competition, finished second in Zone A with 24 points, three behind defending champions Kingston College who defeated them 3-0 at home in their last encounter on Saturday.
On the other hand Jonathan Grant, who are unbeaten so far this season, ended second in Zone D on 24 points.
Gayle told Jamaica Observer that Jonathan Grant have been playing well this season, therefore, they are anticipating a very challenging contest.
“It has been a tough season so far but we have made it into the second round and we know that the Manning Cup has just started for us. We know that it is going to be a tough game going over to St Catherine to play Jonathan Grant at home,” he said.
“However, my boys are ready because they have worked very hard this season so I am expecting them to give a good account of themselves. It is a knockout game and so we can’t take anything for granted and so we will be coming out very determined to win both legs of this second-round matchup against Jonathan Grant,” Gayle added.
Kemeel Wolfe, coach of Jonathan Grant, said his team is very upbeat ahead of today’s contest.
“We are very optimistic about this contest because it is football and these are two very good teams, and so I believe that the team that wants it the most will come out on top,” opined Wolfe.
“My players are upbeat, and they are ready for this game and to deal with the task at hand because we just planned to play simple football and, hopefully, we will get a positive result from these two matches,” he said.
In other second-round first-leg matches, Tivoli Gardens will entertain Mona at Stadium East field, Campion College oppose Charlie Smith at Jamaica College, and Haile Selassie awaits Excelsior at Calabar High School. All matches are set to start at 3:00 pm.
— Robert Bailey