Wolmer’s edge STGC in tense Walker Cup first round

WOLMER’S BOYS’ School head coach Jerome Waite called the traditional rivalry against St George’s College (STGC) always difficult after his team clipped them 2-1 in the first round of the ISSA Walker Cup knockout competition at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex yesterday.

The long-time rivals were meeting for the first time isn schoolboy football since a Manning Cup encounter in 2016.

Waite said he expected a tough test because the North Street Light Blues play a possession game that is difficult to counter.

“First off, congratulations to the Wolmer’s family, and well tried St George’s. Today’s game was not easy at all. We were up against some very technically sound players that possessed the ball a lot,” Waite said.

STGC started the stronger of the two and were duly rewarded in the 10th minute when Payton Larmond finished off a terrific team goal.

Recovering well from their slow start, the Wolmerians pieced together a few half-chances before Addon Daye found the leveller in the 19th minute.

Daye rose the highest in the box to head home a delivery from a corner to deliver the first blow.

Demetri Jackson would secure Wolmer’s passage to the next round when he converted from the spot to give his team the lead just before the halftime break.

Throughout the second half, STGC knocked on the door often, coming close to pulling level several times, but were stymied by the safe hands of Wolmer’s goalkeeper, Yuri Dryden.

Dryden would earn praise from both teams’ coaches after the game for what they felt was a man-of-the-match performance.

“We fought for this win in flying colours,” Waite said after the match. “We had too many turnovers in offence and defence, but I must give kudos to our goalkeeper, Yuri Dyden. He was outstanding. He earned a man of the match, and he kept us in the game.”

Neville Bell, St George’s head coach, said the defeat came down to a brilliant performance from Dryden, who denied his team any chance of snatching a result.

However, he praised his team for their effort this season.

“We had the opportunities where we could have scored, but their goalkeeper was brilliant today. It is the second game this season where we were beaten by a goalkeeper, and we have to live with that, but we had the chances,” Bell said

“These youngsters put their everything into the game, but we just did not get the result that we wanted,” he added.

Also in action yesterday, St Jago clipped Calabar 3-2 while St Andrew Technical High School hammered Charlie Smith High 3-0 in their fixture.

Eltham High also returned to schoolboy football action in winning form, dismissing Jonathan Grant 3-1 to move on to the next round.

Yesterday’s results

Calabar 2-3 St Jago

STGC 1-2 Wolmer’s

Eltham 3-1 Jonathan Grant

STATHS 3-0 Charlie Smith