'Charlie' hunt Walker Cup berth

Robert Bailey, Gleaner Writer

Jerome Waite, coach of former champions Charlie Smith High, said they will be looking to pull out all the stops against Haile Selassie High, in an effort to secure their spot in the Walker Cup when the teams clash in their Group C encounter Inter-Secondary Sports Association (ISSA)/Gatorade/Digicel Manning Cup at the Anthony Spaulding Complex today, starting at 3:30 p.m.

With three matches remaining in the group, Charlie Smith lead with 19 points ahead of Ascot High 14. They are followed by Wolmer's (11), Dunoon High (eight), Haile Selassie (three) and Vauxhall High (two). In the group's other games, Wolmer's Boys will oppose Dunoon, and Ascot will host Vauxhall.

Charlie Smith, who are one of the favourites for this year's title, have scored 24 goals while conceding a mere six. When both teams met earlier in the season, Charlie Smith came out 1-0 winners over Haile Selassie.

Crucial three points

"We need three points just to ensure that we stay in front, and this will also enable us to qualify for the Walker Cup," said Waite.

"This is a team that we have beaten one-nil this season, and they are doing well defensively, and so I know that we have to go out there and fight to ensure that we get three points," he said.

Charlie Smith thrashed Ascot 4-0 in their last game, and Waite believes his side is getting better as the season progresses.

"My team is growing in confidence and we have been playing fairly well, and I just hope that we continue to grow from strength to strength as the season goes on," said Waite whose team last won the competition in 1995.

Striker Michaelos Martin, who has netted nine goals this season, along with captain Javoni Simms with five goals, André Allen and Lennox Russell will lead Charlie Smith's charge for victory.

On the other hand, Haile Selassie, who are out of contention for a place in the second round, are coming off a humiliating 9-0 defeat to Wolmer's. They are also still searching for their first win in this year's competition, as their three points in the competition are as a result of three drawn games.

Meanwhile, the match between Wolmer's and Dunoon will be a very intriguing contest, as a win for either team will revive their hopes of qualifying for the second round of the competition.

Wolmer's have registered three wins, two draws and two defeats. On the other hand, Dunoon's record stands at two wins, three defeats and two draws.