Kwesi Mugisa, Staff Reporter
AN ILL-TEMPERED clash between Kingston College and Eltham High ended in a 1-1 stalemate yesterday in a Group D encounter of the ISSA/Pepsi/JN Manning Cup at Eltham High.
Most of the aggravation was off the pitch as the KC supporters and coaches felt that they were being short changed by a number of decisions that the referee made. The most important of them - a free kick just outside of the 18-yard box - eventually led to Eltham's goal.
Things came to a head when KC coach Trevor 'Jumpy' Harris and two of his associates were expelled from the technical area for a number of comments which suggested the match was not being called fairly.
On the rain-soaked pitch, it was a rugged battle of wills. Kingston College had gone into the encounter with every intention of stealing all three points and taking revenge for the 1-0 loss which Eltham had handed them at home earlier in the season.
Despite the soggy conditions, KC seemed to be well on their way to doing so in the 13th minute when Ocane Williamson pounced on to a shot which was parried by Eltham goalkeeper Kelso Cousins and fired home to give his team the early goal it had hoped for.
WEISE SCORES
But a determined Eltham would not fold under the early pressure. In the 33rd minute Duane Weise would be brought down just outside of the 18-yard area.
He picked himself up to first fire into the wall and then on the rebound into the goal to bring his team back level.
Unfortunately for KC goal keeper Mikhail Dacosta, the ball took an awkward bounce in front of goal.
The goal rubbed the Kingston College bench and spectators the wrong way as they believed that the free kick was not warranted.
An infuriated Harris refused to comment after the game.
The draw now puts Kingston College in a tough spot as they and Eltham are now level on 17 points each.
Eltham, however, have a game in hand as they will face St. Jago and Bridgeport in their two remaining games, while Kingston College must travel to Ferdie Neita Park to face a very tough Bridgeport team for their final game of the round.
YESTERDAY'S RESULTS
Eltham 1 Kingston College 1
Kingston High 0 Tivoli 10
Meadowbrook vs Holy Trinity - rained out
TODAY'S GAMES
Tarrant vs Dunoon, Calabar vs Vauxhall, Charlie Smith vs Ardenne, Spanish Town vs Wolmer's, Donald Quarrie vs Ascot.
