Victory sets up Jonathan Grant for second round

Despite their less than impressive performance in front of goal, Jonathan Grant High did just enough to secure the second automatic qualifying spot from Zone B of the ISSA Manning Cup when they clipped Gaynstead High 3-1 yesterday at Jonathan Grant High School.

In their last game of the first round, Jonathan Grant secured all three points needed to leapfrog zone rivals Charlie Smith High for second place with 21 points, with Charlie Smith falling to third with 18.

However, Charlie Smith will advance to the second round as one of the two best third-place teams, while Gaynstead ended the first round rooted at the foot of the zone, winless and without a point.

Despite his team’s win, Jonathan Grant head coach Kemeel Wolfe was far from pleased with the performance as he felt the players had entered the match indisciplined and overconfident of the result.

“We’re grateful for the win because this win takes us to second in the group and now we are aware of the teams that we will be playing in the next round. But I didn’t think we were as clinical in front of goal today,” Wolfe said.

“I think we were a bit selfish in terms of we could have made it a little bit easier by just passing the ball and giving the teammates the opportunity. But with youngsters this was always going to be the case because they are not professionals,” he explained.

Jonathan Grant started the game with purpose but despite their numerous chances it took a while for them to convert the opening goal.

In between those missed opportunities and against the run of play, Gaynstead found themselves in the lead when Nathan Henry scored on the counter in the 28th minute.

Jonathan Grant would find their shooting boots at the stroke of half time when Nathaniel Campbell struck to send the teams into the break on level terms.

Rickelmie Crossby would give the hosts the lead in the 51st minute with a deft finish, before Alando Daley sealed the win minutes from the full-time whistle.

The win puts Jonathan Grant in Group Two of the second round alongside Eltham High, Excelsior High and Tivoli Gardens High.

Wolfe said there is much for his team to improve on before their first game against Tivoli on Saturday.

“We have to tighten up our game because we don’t have much time before the next round starts on Saturday,” he explained.

“How we look in front of goal is one of the parts that we need to correct. Defensively, I think we work well as a unit but our transition game is a little bit slow so that is something also that we are trying to work on with the boys.”

Wolfe said he is prepared for the second round, having seen how his opponents like to play their style of football. He insisted that the onus is now on his team to implement their game plan come Saturday.

Tivoli, on the other hand, will enter the fixture confident of their chances, having won Zone E with a near-perfect record, with nine wins from 10 games.

gregory.bryce@gleanerjm.com