St George’s keep second-round hopes alive
Published:Thursday | October 9, 2025 | 12:09 AMRobert Bailey/Gleaner Writer
FORMER CHAMPIONS St George’s College (STGC) boosted their chances of advancing to the ISSA/WATA Manning Cup competition’s round of 16 with a 3-1 victory over St Jago in their Zone A encounter at Winchester Park yesterday.
The Neville ‘Bertis’ Bell-coached STGC were led to victory courtesy of a brace from Joel Ffrench in the 39th and 88th minutes, while Ronaldo Lawrence opened the scoring in the 25th. The Light Blues led 2-0 at half-time before Ricahardo Lewis pulled one back for St Jago in the 76th.
STGC dominated the early proceedings, creating several clear-cut chances, but excellent goalkeeping from St Jago’s John Adlam kept the hosts at bay. St Jago’s resistance was finally broken when Lawrence arrived in the centre of the penalty box to fire home a cross from Ffrench. The speedy and skilful Ffrench then doubled STGC’s lead with a close-range finish past Adlam.
Lewis reduced the deficit for St Jago with a well-taken strike against the run of play, but Ffrench, who had an excellent game for the Light Blues, sealed the win with his second goal two minutes from full time.
Despite the win, STGC remain third in the zone on 18 points. Excelsior lead the standings with 20, followed by the previously unbeaten St Jago on 19. Hydel are fourth with 13 points, with two rounds of matches remaining.
Marcell Gayle, STGC assistant coach, whose team lost 1-0 to St Jago earlier this season, was pleased with his team’s performance.
“I thought that we had a good game, and kudos to the guys. I think that they played well, because the instructions were clear from the get-go, and so we wanted to take the sting out of the game early,” said Gayle.
“The team played according to plan, but, unfortunately, we conceded. Nevertheless, we showed character and we came back and we scored at the end, so it was a comprehensive victory, and well done to the youths,” he added.
Meanwhile, St Jago assistant coach Marcello Douglas was disappointed with his team’s display.
“It was an off day for us away from home because we came out flat-footed and we didn’t play our normal game, and we weren’t professional in this game,” he said.
“I have the utmost confidence in these boys that we will go through to the quarter-finals, because they are humble and we are a young team. With 19 points and two games to play, we still feel confident enough to make it,” Douglas said.
In the zone’s other game, Excelsior and Hydel played out an exciting 2-2 draw.
Yesterday’s Results
Hydel 2-2 Excelsior
STGC 3-1 St Jago
Edith Dalton 0-3 Spanish Town