JC edge STATHS 1-0
STATHS Williams laments lack of energy because of flu-like illness affecting team
Published:Saturday | November 12, 2022 | 12:10 AMDaniel Wheeler/Staff Reporter
The latest chapter of the Jamaica College-St Andrew Technical High (STATHS) rivalry started like years past with both teams looking equally dangerous with the top spot in their quarterfinal group up for grabs.
In the end, the Dark Blues claimed pole position, edging STATHS 1-0 in their final ISSA/Digicel Manning Cup quarterfinal group game at Stadium East. Maquan Aldridge got the winner in the 48th minute as JC finished the quarterfinal round perfectly with three straight wins.
STATHS had already qualified for the semifinals with two wins in the group. While head coach Philip Williams said that the team was dealing with flu-like illnesses, he lamented not being able to take advantage of the early chances that they were afforded.
“We were lacking in energy and that is in part because three-quarters of the squad are down with the flu bug that is going around,” Williams said. However, he added that they got good chances in the first half to win the match but the forwards were not clinical enough.
Wary of STATHS threat from out wide, JC head coach Davion Ferguson said that they were unable to keep up with STATHS in the first half but credited the halftime changes that gave them better control.
“We know that STATHS use the wings well. In the first half, we weren’t getting the coverage from our wide players on top, supporting the wingbacks. So they overloaded in the wide areas and they got some justice. I think that halftime we corrected a few things and in the second half we did a lot better, we had a lot more control,” Ferguson said.
With both teams’ passage to the semifinals secured before a ball was kicked, Ferguson said that it may have affected the intensity levels of the game but he said that his team was still determined to give a good account of themselves.
“I can tell you if today was a must-win game to go to the next round, you would have seen a different game from both teams. Both teams would have qualified already, so I think on the day it was just trying to motivate these youngsters to give their all just the same,” Ferguson said.
Williams said that he could not fault the effort that his team showed, and is optimistic that his team will be back to full strength for the business end of the season which includes the Champions Cup which will start next week.
Meanwhile, in the other group game, Wolmer’s Boys defeated Haile Selassie 3-2 at Jamaica College. Both teams were already eliminated from the Manning Cup and both will turn their attention to Walker Cup play next week.
Yesterday’s results
JC 1 STATHS 0
Wolmer’s 3 Haile Selassie 2