Manchester march on in Ben Francis KO

Manchester High booked their place in the ISSA Ben Francis Knockout quarter-finals yesterday, eliminating seven-time champions Cornwall College 2-0 in a clinical round-of-16 performance at Manchester High.

The winners will await the result of today’s clash between defending champions Clarendon College and Ocho Rios High at the Drax Hall Sports Complex to learn their quarterfinal opponents.

Manchester struck twice in a five-minute span early in the match, with Jahleel McKenzie opening the scoring in the 11th minute before Jequil Forbes doubled the lead in the 16th minute, leaving Cornwall with an uphill battle for the remainder of the contest.

Manchester pressed hard for a third goal on several occasions, but Cornwall’s goalkeeper Carlyle Tinglin’s made a series of impressive saves.

Manchester coach Johnoy Chambers explained that his game plan was to turn the match into a transitional battle to counter Cornwall’s possession-based style.

“It wasn’t a case of revenge. We were very unlucky the last time we played them. That’s something that I told the boys and sold to them, and they bought into it,” said Chambers.

Chambers noted that although his team scored two early goals, Cornwall played well and started the match strongly.

“I must say commendations to their goalkeeper, by far one of the most talented goalkeepers I’ve seen in a long while. His reaction and ball delivery showed that he is a standout talent,” added Chambers.

Meanwhile, Cornwall coach Leacroft Lettman attributed the defeat to his team’s slow start.

“The game started really flat for us. We tried to get them back into the game, but then two goals were scored at a very crucial point,” said Lettman who added that they tried to get back into the game but failed to get back a goal.

“We have to focus on the daCosta Cup now, so we just have to recuperate, organise again, come back and get the boys upbeat and ready again,” Lettman said.

YESTERDAY’S RESULTS
Ben Francis KO
Manchester High 2-0 Cornwall

daCosta Cup
St. James High 0-0 Irwin High
Knox College 6-0 Troy High
Mile Gully 3-0 Winston Jones
Herbert Morrison 0-0 Green Pond
Muschett 0-0 Spot Valley
Lacovia 0-0 Lewisville