Haile Selassie stand in the way of JC semi-final berth
Published:Tuesday | November 8, 2022 | 12:08 AMDaniel Wheeler/Staff Reporter
JAMAICA COLLEGE are once again on the doorstep of another ISSA/Digicel Manning Cup semi-final.
In their way, is a Haile Selassie High team that is not daunted and ready to fight to extend their stay in the competition.
They will face each other this afternoon at 1:00 p.m. in the first game of a Stadium East doubleheader that could seal semi-final places or leave intrigue for the last round of games.
The ‘Dark Blues’ used a second-half surge to defeat Wolmer’s Boys’ in their opening quarterfinal game on Saturday thanks to a Maquan Aldridge brace, a game that was played in front of their home fans at Ashenheim Stadium.
Head coach Davion Ferguson said that while the importance of winning their first game was not lost on the team, he credited the composure that his team displayed in their opener. That composure will be needed if they want to book their place in the last four.
“We wanted to do well so badly, and I think in some moments there was anxiety, but there was no nervousness. It’s always good to win the first one. We were playing in front of our people. And we always want to give them something to smile about,” Ferguson said.
What has given JC encouragement is that they have scored 67 goals so far this year and have only conceded four.
The coaching staff were on hand to see Haile Selassie’s spirited opener against St Andrew Technical High School, which ended in a 3-2 defeat.
Haile Selassie head coach Linval Dixon was by no means discouraged by their defeat, choosing instead to be pleased with the way they performed.
“To be at the quarterfinal and come against a JC team, a Wolmer’s or a STATHS team we know that two of them are former champions and STATHS are knocking at the door. We know there will be tough games. But we will always try and believe in ourselves that we can go there and get a positive in all games. We are still going to give it everything,” Dixon said
Haile Selassie are in the quarterfinals in their return to schoolboy football after last year’s absence because of COVID-19 complications. Haile Selassie will put their chances of victory on their midfielder Jahwan Payne, who Dixon said, has been their most influential player this season, scoring in their quarterfinal opener with a brilliant effort from outside the box.
Meanwhile, STATHS will face Wolmer’s in the second game of the doubleheader at 3:15 p.m.
With a win, STATHS could also confirm their place in the semi-finals for the fifth straight season.
They face a Wolmer’s team who are struggling with injuries.
Ahead of their quarterfinal opener against JC, Wolmer’s needed to replace their starting goalkeeper Roan Melford as well as their captain and inspirational leader, Dante Dacres, during the game because of asthma complications.
Today’s Games
Haile Selassie High vs Jamaica College @ 1:00 pm
St Andrew Technical High School vs Wolmer’s @ 3:15 pm
Both Games at Stadium East