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Whyte dreams of leading Petersfield FC to glory

Published:Tuesday | January 5, 2016 | 4:49 PMPaul Clarke
Paul Clarke
Petersfield FC captain Akeem Whyte (right) moves in to challenge Orane Lewis of Savannah SC for the ball in Sunday’s Charley’s JB Rum Western Confederation Super League football match at Frome Sports Complex. Petersfield won 2-1.

WESTERN BUREAU:

Petersfield FC central midfielder Akeem Whyte thinks his team has the necessary pieces to put together a strong run for the Charley's JB Rum Western Confederation Super League title.

Petersfield, who defeated defending champions Savannah SC 2-1 in Sunday's fourth-round match, are in a three-way tie for the lead in Zone One, with nine points, the same as Salt Marsh and Granville FC.

The former Petersfield High School daCosta Cup standout has been asked to lead the team. He said so far, it has been a good learning experience.

"We are currently second in the zone and are feeling confident. We always play to win, so a victory is always important to us," Whyte said.

At 19, Whyte is the league's youngest captain, and though aware of the tremendous amount of pressure the role brings, he admits to enjoying the challenge.

"I am still a very young man. I graduated school last year, but I know I am able to bring the team to the level of success we crave," he said.

Whyte was clearly a calming influence in his team's win over Savannah on Sunday, and the attack-minded midfielder is hoping to make a mark with Petersfield, as they go in search of a first Super League crown and a chance to qualify to the Red Stripe Premier League.

Petersfield striker Romario Whyte (no relation to Akeem), another of the team's young guns, notched a double in the win.

Whyte opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the seventh minute and added his second in the 46th. He could have had the league's first hat-trick of the season, but his effort from close range was blocked on the line by a defender, to keep the score at 2-0 at half-time.

Leaton Galloway scored the only goal in a stronger second-half performance from Savannah, which remain grounded on a single point and last in the zone after four matches played.

Beaches Negril, in only their second year in the League, are out front in Zone Two, following their 2-1 win over Village United at Llandilo for seven points from four matches.

Lucea FC were defeated 2-0 by Granville and remain winless in the league, while their victors held on to third in Group One, with that result and Clark's Town, the Trelawny champions, edged Sandals Whitehouse 1-0 at Cedric Titus High School.