JC outlast Wolmer’s, STATHS come from behind against Haile Selassie
Published:Sunday | November 6, 2022 | 12:14 AMDaniel Wheeler - Staff Reporter
WOLMER’S BOYS were walking wounded and held on for as long as they could against many-time ISSA/Digicel Manning Cup champions Jamaica College in their opening quarterfinal bout at the Ashenheim Stadium yesterday.
But it was the dark blues that used a second surge to take the first step towards the last four with a 4-1 win.
A brace by Marquan Aldridge in the seventh and 94th minutes led the way for Jamaica College with contributions from Jahmarly Bennett in the 74th and Brandon Sandiford in the 84th.
Dante Dacres had equalised for Wolmers in the 35th minute but had to be substituted because of asthma complications.
His exit was among injuries that Wolmer’s had to deal with, which included their starting goalkeeper, Roan Melford, who had to pull out because of a injury during warm-up.
However, head coach Jerome Waite said he was pleased with the way his team battled even as the injuries caught up with them.
“We weren’t expected to reach here based on how the media looked at it. We came here. We put up a stunning fight,” Waite said.
“The youngster (Malik Bogle) that came in, he did well in the first half. It was just a spilt ball that led to the second goal.”
Jamaica College head coach Davion Ferguon said that although they were missing clear-cut opportunities in the first half, he was confident that the quality of his team would deliver.
NUMEROUS CHANCES
“We really prepared for this one. We had numerous chances to put the game to bed. Once Wolmers got that equaliser they got a little bit alive. They came back in it. But we maintained our composure because we know the quality that we have,” Ferguson said.
That quality was led by Aldridge, his brace and impact hailed by Ferguson.
“He is a player that we have been working on, trying to get him to play within a system and I think that he is reaping the fruits of that,” Ferguson said.
Meanwhile, St Andrew Technical High School battled from a 2-1 deficit to defeat Haile Selassie 3-2 in the second game of a doubleheader that proved to be an entertaining affair.
An Andre Salmon brace in the 56th and 82nd minutes powered STATHS to victory after Jarrain Selvyn gave Haile Selassie a 2-1 lead in the 52nd.
STATHS’ Alexavier Gooden and Haile Selassie’s Jahwan Payne traded goals in the 23rd and 44th minutes.
STATHS head coach Philip Williams praised the grit his team showed after a game where they were tested physically and mentally.
“They have big hearts inside them. They were down and they did not panic. They played how we trained and they came through for us,” Williams said.
Despite the defeat, Haile Selassie head coach Linval Dixon felt nothing but pride in the performance, suggesting the result sends a message about the team’s ability.
“It’s hard to take a loss, especially in the quarterfinal round where you have to lead from the front. But we took a lot of positives from this game. We always believe that we can give it our all, give it our best and dig out results,” said Dixon.
Jamaica College and STATHS are tied on three points but JC lead the group with a better goal difference.