Vauxhall blame rainfall

Vauxhall High School went into their first Manning Cup fixture against perennial favourites Wolmer’s Boys’ riding high on confidence after their strong preseason, form which saw them copping the grand prize at the Insports Challenge Cup recently. The day, however, did not go according to plan, with Vauxhall slumping to a 5-0 defeat.

Kemar Bramwell, a member of the coaching staff of Vauxhall High, felt that the weather had a major impact on the match’s result. It was only a few minutes after the match kicked off that the rain began to pour, which Bramwell said had an effect on the roll of the ball that led to the first goal.

“It was a case where the centre back was playing out the ball from a goal kick, and the waterlogged field caused the ball not to roll,” Bramwell said. “The ­opposing player was approaching the ball, so the defender decided to kick the ball again, and the ­referee decided to give an indirect [free kick].”

Wolmer’s would go on to score from the resulting free kick, which Bramwell felt was unjustified.

Bramwell explained that he believed because the game should have been stopped and replayed due the ball had been impeded by the water, but after confronting the officials on the issue, he was shown a red card and sent to spend the remainder of the match in the stands.

“I’m sure that it should have been retaken, based on the fact that the ball didn’t roll as it should have,” he explained. “I went to the assistant referee to ask what that was, and he called the referee to give me a red card, which, in this instance, based on my reaction, was justified. I had already ­apologised for that.”

DISAPPOINTING RESULT

After the match, Bramwell consulted with the referees about the decision on the play. The officials explained that the ball was live after being kicked and ­that according to the rules of the game, the defender should not have made a second attempt at playing the ball.

“It was a disappointing result but not a bad game,” Bramwell said. “That mistake caused us to give up a soft goal. That affected us and had the players ­dragging their heads a bit.”

Vauxhall will be at home to Innswood in their next match tomorrow at 3:30 p.m.

– Gregory Bryce