Three and easy for St George's College

Marc Stamp, Gleaner Writer

St George's College (St GC) 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. Gregory Messam Jr sent St George's in the lead when he collected a pass on the left flank, dribbled by several opponents then cut inside and 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.

Wasted chances

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

Messam Jr praised his team's display.

"We had a good performance today. The win pushed us further in the lead so I'm happy," he said.

"We will continue to take it game by game," said 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, was also happy with 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.

Gayle described Messam Jr as a fantastic player.

"He is among the young talent for the future," the assistant coach said.

Meanwhile, Waterford's coach, Jermaine Thomas, said the game was over as a contest after the opening goal.

"We conceded early and the team struggled and allowed St 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 remained on seven.

• Yesterday's results

St George's 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 Calabar

St Catherine vs Penwood at St Catherine High

Hydel vs Eltham at Caymanas field

All games kick off at 3:30 p.m.