Williams looks to improve

André Lowe, Senior Staff Reporter

Bridgeport High School striker Damani Williams stole the show on Monday, as he led the Portmore-based team to an emphatic victory, scoring twice in their 4-0 drubbing of St Andrew Technical High School (STATHS) in their ISSA/Gato-rade/Digicel Manning Cup schoolboy football matchup at Gibson Road.

Williams, an all-action forward, wrapped up the win for the two-time champions with a close-range finish in the 43rd minute, before smashing a ferocious volley in the bottom right-hand corner of the net in the 54th, to bring his tally to seven goals in five games.

However, despite his solid start to the season, the 17-year-old is not too pleased with his work to date, and is looking to improve throughout the season as he looks to meet the 15-goal target that he has set for himself.

"At this point, I would say that my game is bad, very bad, but it's coming on," said Williams. "I am always looking to do better and right now I am not finishing well enough, but I am getting better.

"I am looking to score at least 15 goals this year, my coach believes I can score 20, but I am starting with 15 for the time being," Williams added.

Confident leader

The fifth-form business student is nonetheless certain that he has what it takes to lead his team to their first title since 2006, and is banking on his all-round abilities to play a major role in their progress this year.

"I would say that my strong points are getting the ball on my feet, bringing my teammates into the game and playing it around," Williams noted.

"I know that I have what it takes to help Bridgeport to the title, my teammates believe in me and I also believe in them," he added, before pointing to Inter Milan's Diego Forlan, Barcelona's Lionel Messi and Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo, as the international strikers that he most appreciates.

Despite his love for the sport, Williams - a nephew of former Arnett Gardens defender, captain and coach, Eugene 'Big Head' Williams - is also eyeing a career in law enforcement.

"I'd like to become a police officer or a professional footballer, but any one of them come, I'll be happy," Williams smiled.

Bridgeport coach Anthony Patrick has been impressed with the youngster and is expecting him to continue doing well throughout the season.

"He is a very good player," said Patrick. "He is back with us this year and is really carrying the attack upfront this season, so we are hoping for the best for him for the rest of the season.

"He is a very good all-round player; he can head the ball well, he can kick the ball very well and does a bit of everything," Patrick added.