- Junior Dowie/Staff Photographer
Jermaine Pearce of Kingston College (right) and a Vauxhall player tussle for possession during their Pepsi/Sports Plus Manning Cup game at Clovelly Park yesterday. Vauxhall upset KC 1-0.
Charmaine Austin, Staff Reporter
MONDAY MORNING'S devotion at Vauxhall High will have the usual ingredients of prayer and other things that students usually find dour, however it will be nothing short of miraculous when principal Angela Chaplain makes a particular announcement.
The Manning Cup team's inconceivable 1-0 victory over Kingston College in the Pepsi/Sports Manning Cup football competition at Clovelly Park yesterday.
"History is going to be created today," Chaplain continually repeated after the team had scored.
Vauxhall supporters, players on the bench and the team's management nervously chanted their support but it was Chaplain who seemingly had more faith. She temporarily forgot her role as principal and donned a more down-to-earth attitude to become the team's chief cheerleader, rallying support to the end when her wish came true.
It was indeed historic as Vauxhall, who went in as underdogs, took the highly-fancied Purples down a notch in an entertaining display of varied skills.
Vauxhall have never defeated KC in the Manning Cup but have had better results against them in the Colts under-16 competition, defeating them 3-1 in 1998 and holding them to a draw (0-0) in 2001.
Coach Karl Russell was the only one not surprised by yesterday's win.
"This victory is sweet but certainly not a surprise. We were the underdogs but we didn't feel like we were less than anybody. We earned this.
"KC gave us a good fight but we were not threatened by them any at all. This was our game to win. It is not the end of the road but it is nice feeling this good," he said.
Rebounding from a 1-0 loss to St. Jago in their opening game of the season, Vauxhall remained on even terms with their opponents throughout the game.
Goalkeeper Aundre Currie and sweeper Twain Wynter played key roles in the team's victory, saving shot after dangerous shot by the KC attack however it was Peter Keyes whose 30th minute strike gave them the well-earned three points and a huge boost to their morale.
Running out the remaining 45 minutes was even more nerve-wracking for Vauxhall who tried hard to maintain the advantage. KC did everything possible to at least go away with a draw.
KC literally kicked away its chance of equalising when captain Andre McPherson sent a penalty shot flying over the crossbar in the 70th minute.
Other games yesterday saw St. Jago register the biggest win with a 5-0 drubbing of Greater Portmore.
In other results: St. Jago thrash Greater Portmore 5-0, Jamaica College blanked Wolmer's 3-0, Ardenne registered the same scoreline over Tarrant, Mona defeated Waterford 3-1, Tivoli beat Clan Carthy 2-0, Excelsior defeated Edith Dalton-James High 5-1 while Penwood and Meadow-brook played to a 0-0 draw.
