An absolutely brilliant header by Donovan Dawkins in the 89th minute gave Jamaica College (JC) a 1-0 win over St George’s College and successfully defended their Flow ISSA Manning Cup title at Sabina Park.
Dawkins with his back to goal, flicked on a Zeron Sewell right-sided cross, a minute from normal time, as JC won their third consecutive title and gained their 27th lien on the prestigious Manning Cup.
It was a deserved win for the Miguel Coley-coached boys from Old Hope Road and more importantly sweet revenge for their humiliating 0-4 loss in the Super Cup a few weeks ago.
JC looked inspired from the beginning and the writing was on the wall from early as they dominated a close encounter and in the end, came out victorious.
Praises can’t be too high for Coley, the national assistant Reggae Boyz coach as he turned around his team brilliantly, tactically and physically.
JC thus became the first team in 48 years to win three consecutive titles since Kingston College did so in 1964, 1965 and 1967. There was no competition in 1966.
It was just Dawkins’ sixth goal of the season, a team high for an outfit that navigated their way to the final with some sturdy defending.
JC’s win also secured their remarkably four year unbeaten Manning Cup run dating back to 2012 and it was their fifth title in the last nine years.
They won in 2007, 2010, 2013, 2014 and 2015.
Meanwhile Jonathan Grant secured third spot with a 1-0 win over Denham Town in the curtain raiser. Michael Beckford headed home the winner in the 50th minute.
