Adrian Frater, News Editor

Jamaica College's Ashani Walker who scored his team's two goals, dribbles through the heart of the Jonathan Grant defence in yesterday's Manning Cup game at Jarrett Park. The game ended 2-2.

WESTERN BUREAU

RURAL CHAMPIONS Garvey Maceo started the defence of their daCosta Cup title with a 1-0 win against Kemps Hill, while their urban counterparts, Jamaica College, had to settle for a 2-2 draw against Jonathan Grant as the schoolboy football season kicked off at Jarrett Park yesterday.

In their Zone I fixture, which they dominated but were found wanting offensively for the most part, the Jeffrey Hewitt-coached Garvey Maceo snatched victory courtesy of an 87th-minute penalty converted by Derron McLeod.

Jamaica College ran into early trouble in their Group C Manning Cup game against the sprightly Jonathan Grant and found themselves trailing 2-0 in the 27th minute through goals by Dovan Whitely and Jamie Hall. However, JC managed to secure a share of the points thanks to a double strike by Ashani Walker.

Composed team

In their game, Garvey Maceo looked the more composed team and created the majority of chances. However, Kemps Hill defended stoutly and tackled with rugged efficiency, which proved quite intimidating to their opponents.

"It was a courageous effort from my team and while we were not as fluent as I had hoped, an ugly win is better than a pretty loss," said Hewitt. "Getting all three points is a good way to start the season."

The all-important goal came when wily Mikhail Howell weaved his way into the penalty area and fired goalwards only to see the ball hit the outstretched hands of a Kemps Hill defender, who was penalised by the referee.

McLeod make no mistake with the resulting penalty.

Worse start

In the Jamaica College game, which was the curtain-raiser, the champions got off to the worst start possibly when, in the 20th minute, their goalkeeper, Kirkland Hamilton, made a rash tackle on Jonathan Grant's Shawn Smiley and was red-carded and the penalty awarded.

The initial penalty kick struck by Whitely was blocked by substitute goalkeeper Marlon Johnson but the alert Whitely fired in the rebound. Seven minutes later, Jonathan Grant struck again when Hall broke free in front of goal and fired out of the reach of the goalkeeper, making the score 2-0.

"Our first-half performance was quite good and had we repeated it in the second half we would have won the game," said Jonathan Grant's coach Carrol Parkes. "A lot of things went wrong for us in the second half."

Better half

Jamaica College, who looked a much more composed team towards the end of the first half, got on the scoresheet in the 31st minute when Walker caught the Jonathan Grant defence napping and fired in powerfully off the goalkeeper's body, making the half-time score 2-1.

The second half saw JC have the better of action and look the better team. They were rewarded in the 79th minute when Walker got away from the Jonathan Grant defence, worked his way into a shooting position and fired home, making the final score 2-2.

"We played well in parts but we did not get the result we wanted," said Jamaica College's coach, Alfred Henry. "We are all good, nonetheless."