KC’s title defence ends after exciting 2-2 tie with archrival Calabar

Defending champions Kingston College (KC) were knocked out of this year's ISSA WATA Manning Cup football competition after they were held to a 2-2 draw by fellow all-boys' institution, archival Calabar High School in Group Two at Stadium East yesterday.

Shareef Ricketts in the seventh minute and Deshawn Byfield in the 45th minute were the goalscorers for KC. Franchesco Reid in the 21st minute and Jaheim Rankine in the 24th were on target for Calabar.

In the group's other game, Hydel and Campion College played out an exciting 1-1 draw at Waterhouse Mini Stadium.

Calabar and Hydel have both advanced to the quarterfinals after finishing first and second, respectively, on five points each. They are followed by KC on four and Campion College on one.

FIERCELY CONTESTED

In a fiercely contested game, Ricketts gave KC a dream start when he collected a pass from Kelvin Brown at the centre of the box, turned away from his marker and then unleashed a powerful left-footed shot past Calabar's goalkeeper Kadar Miller.

However, Reid, a livewire, netted the equaliser for Calabar with a powerfully struck right-footed volley from close range.

Calabar's celebrations had hardly died down when Rankine sent them ahead three minutes later. He arrived at the near post between two defenders to tap home a cross from Brown.

Then Byfield, one of the top players in this season's competition, capitalised on a defensive mistake from a Calabar defender to rifle home a powerful right-footed volley past goalkeeper Miller.

BATTLED GAMELY

The second half was also an exciting affair as both teams battled gamely for the go-ahead goal. Calabar's custodian Miller had an excellent second half as he made a number of crucial saves to deny KC's attackers.

In the opening match of the Group Four doubleheader, Jamaica College (JC) and Mona played out an exciting 2-2 draw.

Keshaun-Lee Chin in the 20th minute and Jamone Lyle in the 44th minute were the goalscorers for JC. Sean Leighton (52nd) and Savi-K Morton (56th) were on target for Mona.

The result meant JC and Eltham advanced to the quarterfinals after finishing first and second in the group with four points, respectively.

In the group's other game, Eltham defeated St Jago 3-2.

The Craig Butler-coached Mona team, with three points, and St Jago on zero ended third and fourth, respectively, and have both been eliminated from this season's Manning Cup.