More frustration for Excelsior High
EXCELSIOR HIGH’S chances of reaching the semi-finals of the ISSA-FLOW Manning Cup were dented yesterday after they played to a 2-2 draw with lowly Camperdown High at the Constant Spring Complex.
It was a very sluggish performance from the Mountain View Avenue-based school, who remained unbeaten in the Manning Cup but will need a win next week against Holy Trinity High to advance. Holy Trinity were clipped 1-0 by Jonathan Grant in yesterday’s opening match of the doubleheader.
Camperdown went ahead yesterday when Jevaughn Jemison scored in the 17th minute. Excelsior, however, drew level two minutes later with a Kimani Decombre strike and later took the lead from the penalty spot. The lanky Chavoy Malcolm cooly slotted home in the 66th minute after Thorne Buchanan’s goal-bound shot from close range was deliberately handled by Jevanni Laing. Laing received a red card for the offence.
Despite having a player advantage, Excelsior failed to add to their advantage. They paid dearly in injury time when Nicolai Small punished an error in defence in the 91st minute.
Meanwhile, last season’s semi-finalists, Jonathan Grant, sealed full three points courtesy of a Geovanni Shorter penalty in the 75th minute.
Excelsior lead the group with four points and they are followed by Holy Trinity and Jonathan Grant on three each, while the out-of-contention Camperdown have a point.
Jonathan Grant will face Camperdown, and Excelsior oppose Holy Trinity in the group’s final games. Only the group winners will advance to the semi-finals.
Excelsior’s sports master, Xavier Gilbert, said his team managed the game poorly but was confident that that they would get to the semi-finals.
“We just have to win the next game and we will be in the semifinals, and that’s all we have to focus on right now. Fight to the end. We are confident we can make it to the semi-finals,” Gilbert told The Gleaner.
Jonathan Grant’s coach, O’Neill Thomas, said his team will be going back to training, with all their focus on the last game.
“We will be aiming to play a good game and go for the win,” he stressed.
YESTERDAY’S RESULTS: Jonathan Grant 1 Holy Trinity 0 Excelsior High 2 Camperdown 2