Battle of North Street on at Winchester Park
KINGSTON COLLEGE (KC) coach Raymond Watson is expecting a tough battle when his team faces North Street rivals and hosts St George’s College in a crucial Issa/digicel Manning Cup Group A clash at Winchester Park today. Kick-off time is set for 3 p.m.
Watson insists they will not underestimate their long-time rivals who lost 3-2 to Waterford High on Wednesday. Unbeaten KC lead the group with maximum nine points, Waterford are next on seven and St George’s in third on six.
“I read nothing into that (St George’s defeat by Waterford). Playing against KC is always motivation to any team to come with their A game. Maybe they (St George’s) were looking past Waterford and looking ahead to play us and just got caught.
“Or maybe they had an off day because some games are like that because they are youngsters. They will have a good day and a bad game, a great game and not so great game.
Watson, who took over the reins at KC from last season’s title winning coach Ludlow Bernard, noted that he personally enjoys the big rivalries and he intends to make a statement in his first big match.
“I really enjoy those moments. These moments bring the best out of me, so I am looking forward to it and I expect nothing less than three points. This is the first one (North Street battle) and I really want to make it count,” he stated.
Meanwhile, St George’s assistant coach, Marcel Gayle, said despite the recent defeat his team is still in a good place mentally and the players are eager to come and put in a good performance.
“The home team took their chances and we didn’t, in that match against Waterford. We didn’t want to lose but that is a nature of the game.
“There are things to improve and we are working on that. But we created opportunities but just did not put them away and we conceded some goals. So we will try to tighten up on that and stop them from scoring and try to convert our chances,” Gayle said.
Meanwhile, both coaches are pleased that the governing body (ISSA) have not postponed the fixtures due to the threat of a tropical depression in the Caribbean Sea. The KC-ST George’s clash is today’s televised game, all other matches have been brought forward to 1 p.m.
“I am looking forward to the game. There is no immediate danger to life. I am confident that ISSA, a body of school principals, would have had their students, coaches and referees and all other stakeholders involved (in the decision).
“And they would have had their safety at the forefront of their minds. So if ISSA makes a decision I am confident that they have taken everything into consideration, so I am OK with it,” Watson pointed.
Gayle was hoping divine intervention would allow for regular play.
“I am really optimistic and I hope everything will be normal tomorrow. I hope to God everything will be OK and the storm will disappear,” he said
In other Group A games, Calabar High face Meadowbrook High and Ardenne High host Waterford.