Three and easy for StGC

Marc Stamp

Gleaner Writer

St George's College cruised past Waterford High 3-0 in Group A of the Inter-Secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA)/LIME Manning Cup football competition at Winchester Park yesterday.

The 2012 champions are now firmly on top for a spot in the next round with their fifth consecutive victory for a perfect win record. Gregory Messam Jr. sent George's in the lead when he collected a pass on the left flank dribbled by several opponents then cut inside a buried a torrid shot past Waterford goalkeeper Sheldon McNaughton in the 30th minute.

Amoy Brown sent his team 2-0 ahead in the 63rd minute and five minutes later McNaughton pushed a shot by Stephen Gilzene into the net for an own goal.

In the opening period the game was evenly matched then George's took control after Messam's beautiful strike. The home team wasted several chances, the easiest of which fell to Brown who unbelievable kicked high of an unprotected goal from close range.

Waterford never gave up but George's proved to be the stronger team and were easy winners in the end.

Messam Jr. says that it was a good performance by his team. "We had a good performance today (yesterday). The win pushed us further in the lead so I'm happy," he said.

"We will continue to take it game by game," the 16 year old son of former Reggae Boyz favourite Gregory Messam Sr. who watched the game.

Marcel 'Fuzzy' Gayle, St George's assistant coach praised his team's performance. "I commend the team for their disciplined football. We are ahead in the group and need a couple more wins to be safe. We will continue to the end," Gayle told The Gleaner.

With regards to Messam Jr., Gayle responded: Gregory is a fantastic player and are among the young talent for the future."

Meanwhile, Jermaine Thomas, coach of Waterford said that after the opening goal the contest was over.

"We conceded early and the team struggled and allowed George's too much space," he said. "We will continue to press for a spot in the next round," he added.

St George's moved to 15 points while Waterford remain on seven.

Yesterday's results

St George's College 3 Waterford 0

Group D

Haile Selassie 2 Papine 0

Camperdown 7 Dunoon Technical 0

Group E

Wolmer's Boys 7 Clan Carthy 0

Trench Town 0 Spanish Town 7

Today's games

Group B

Vauxhall vs Mona at Vauxhall High

Charlie Smith vs Excelsior at Anthony Spaulding Complex

Group C

Edith Dalton James vs Innswood at Edith Dalton

Denham Town vs Tivoli at Edward Seaga Complex

St Mary's College vs Ardenne at St Mary's College

Group F

Calabar vs St Jago at Cal bar

St Catherine vs Penwood at St Catherine High

Hydel vs Eltham at Caymanas field

All games start at 3:30 p.m.