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Hydel, St Mary’s set for first meeting

Published:Monday | October 14, 2019 | 12:10 AMDaniel Wheeler/Gleaner Writer
Camperdown’s Shaqueil Bradford (right) is hounded by Hydel’s Michael Thompson (centre) and Shaquise Batice during their ISSA/Digicel Manning Cup encounter at Alpha Boys’ Home on Friday, September 13.
Lennox Aldred
Camperdown’s Shaqueil Bradford (right) is hounded by Hydel’s Michael Thompson (centre) and Shaquise Batice during their ISSA/Digicel Manning Cup encounter at Alpha Boys’ Home on Friday, September 13.

Hydel High School continue their search for a spot in the second round of the ISSA/Digicel Manning Cup competition in their rescheduled Group D fixture against St Mary’s College today at 1 p.m.

The reigning Walker Cup champions are in third place with 13 points, five points behind second-place Mona High although having played two games less. They are 10 points behind leaders Camperdown High, who have already secured their place in the next round.

The teams were scheduled to meet each other on September 7 and then again on October 3. Neither game occurred as St Mary’s arrived for the first without proper playing equipment and the second fixture was postponed because of absent match officials.

However, with games running out to improve their group position, Hydel head coach Corey Bennett is focused on the task at hand to get maximum points from their remaining games to ensure that they leapfrog Mona High for the automatic qualifying spot.

HYDEL BOUNCE BACK

After a 2-1 defeat to Mona last Wednesday, Hydel bounded back with a 4-0 win over Meadowbrook on Friday, and head coach Corey Bennett was pleased with the quick response of his team despite having only Thursday to recharge.

“The boys made more of their opportunities in front of goal and bounced back after one day of rest,” he said. “ To see them bounce back after the game, where we were leading and we lost in the last minute of injury time, it was good character shown to come back and beat a good Meadowbrook team at home.”

Although Hydel will fancy their chances against the bottom team in the group, Burke says that they will not take their opponents lightly.

“We have to go out there with the mindset that it is a strong team and don’t go out there with any other mindset,” he said. “You want to go out there and play football the right way. You don’t want to play garbage football and get a garbage result.”

In Group F, Calabar will be chasing the second automatic qualification spot when they host Ardenne High at Red Hills Road. Calabar are in third place with 10 points with eight games, six points behind second-place Eltham with 16 points, who have played a game more.