DESPITE crashing 0-1 to Calabar High at Red Hills Road without a shot on goal, Penwood High’s Coach Robert Garwood still harbours thoughts of snatching a second-round spot from Zone A, which is seen as the group of death.

In this ISSA/Digicel Manning Cup group where Penwood High are considered the weakest, there four former champions — Kingston College, Charlie Smith, Calabar High, Camperdown High, and one of this year’s favourite Hydel High.

“I am looking at the third place. I told them this morning the group has some strong teams but if we can run third I will be good. I wanted a point here today and that would have kept me in it,” said Garwood.

Calabar, who last won the title in 2005, are aiming to end that 18-year drought, and they got the winning start needed in what is expected to be a tough group.

Captain Javel James headed home in the 50th minute in a game in which Calabar would live to regret not scoring more.

But Coach Andrew Price was not too perturbed.

“It was important to get the three points…everybody was expecting us to have a goal fest here today but we know football is played on the day and it depends on how the team turns up — and I think we played against a very plucky Penwood team,” said Price.

“They got numbers behind the ball and made it very difficult to penetrate them but we stuck to the task, had the territorial advantage, and they didn’t trouble us defensively,” he pointed out.

“Sometimes in a game, one is enough. And we have gotten out of the first-game jitters and we’re just going to get on with the season. We have a tough one against KC [Kingston College] on Saturday, and despite them losing today I know they are coming with their tails up,” Price added.

Meanwhile, in the second Zone A match, champions of 2018 and 2021 KC were brutally exposed at Royal Lakes field, crashing 0-4 to a Hydel High team considered one of the title favourites this season. KC played with 10 men from the 18th minute.