Kwesi Mugisa, Staff Reporter

Kingston College confirmed their place in the Walker Cup KO competition yesterday, following a 1-0 win over Penwood in their final game of the ISSA/Pepsi/Digicel Manning Cup first round at Clovelly Park.

Both themselves and St Andrew Technical High School (STATHS) ended the day tied on 25 points and although STATHS managed a 4-0 win over St Catherine, they still fell short of the North Street team on goal difference. KC have a goal difference of 28, while STATHS' GD is 15.

STATHS, however, could still progress to the Walker Cup as the best second-placed team of all the groups.

The 'Purples' got the all-important goal through Rohan Roye, who collected a defence-splitting pass from Christopher Hanson, before curling the ball around goalkeeper Jimmel Chamber at his near post.

The team's leading goalscorer, McKaulay Tulloch, narrowly missed putting the team further ahead five minutes later but headed just wide of the target.

The visiting team's best chance of the match fell to Melrick Stewart, but finding himself one-on-one with KC custodian Mark Harvey, he allowed the 'keeper to come out the winner of the confrontation.

Threats

However, a determined second half from Penwood prevented KC from extending the lead; and they even threatened the home team's goal on a few occasions.

"Our aim coming out here today was to be competitive and give a good account of ourselves and I think we did that," said Penwood coach Marlon Thomas. "We are a bit disappointed that we did not put away some more of our chances."

Despite the win, KC's coach Wayne Fairclough was not satisfied.

"It was a lacklustre affair, not the prettiest performance at all," he said. "I think we were just totally off colour, I don't know if it was a lack of respect for the opponents or what, but we have a lot of work left to do."

Yesterday's results

Kingston College 1 Penwood 0

STATHS 4 St Catherine 0