Fortis goal feast: KC put 14 past Tarrant

Defending champions Kingston College (KC) went on a goal spree yesterday when they demolished Tarrant High 14-0 in their ISSA/Digicel Manning Cup Zone B clash at the Stadium East Field.

KC, unbeaten so far this season, were led by a brilliant seven-goal performance from striker Deshawn Byfield, while Shareef Ricketts also bagged a hat-trick. The North Street-based school held a commanding 5-0 advantage at half-time before turning on the style in the second period to score nine unanswered goals and secure their fifth straight victory of the campaign.

Head coach Vassell Reynolds, while pleased with the ruthless attacking display, noted that the performance also served as an important step in addressing recent issues in front of goal.

“The thing about it is that we have been getting numerous chances in the games that we have played, but we have been very wasteful in front of goal in the past two or three games. However, this game was more or less an 85 per cent conversion and one has to accept and be satisfied when you score 14 goals, and we have now increased our conversion rate,” Reynolds explained.

Despite the margin of victory, Reynolds noted that KC are keeping their focus on gradual improvement rather than looking too far ahead.

“We always believe in our abilities but we are taking it one game at a time and we are trying to use each to improve. This game, we wanted to use to prepare for next Monday, so we are not looking way ahead of ourselves,” said Reynolds.

“But one thing I know is that we will continue to improve, and we are always going to compete and fight to the bitter end to defend our title this season,” he said.

The veteran coach admitted that there are still areas of concern within his team, particularly regarding tactical decisions and player performances, but expressed confidence that KC are heading in the right direction.

“I am not totally satisfied with some of the things that we have done, and therefore there is still some work to be done. But I think we are slowly getting there in terms of some decisions that we have to make in terms of some individuals. So it is still a work in progress for us, and hopefully in the next two games we can get it as perfect as possible,” Reynolds added.

Meanwhile, in the group’s other game, Tivoli High squandered a two-goal lead and were held 2-2 at home by Haile Selassie High.

Yesterday’s results

Kingston College 14-0 Tarrant

Tivoli Gardens 2-2 Haile Selassie

Charlie Smith 3-1 Kingston Technical

Ascot 1-0 Meadowbrook

Calabar 5-0 Dunoon Park

Today’s games

St George’s College vs Bridgeport

Edith Dalton James vs Spanish Town

Camperdown vs Greater Portmore

Campion College vs Penwood

Wolmer’s vs Pembroke Hall