By LeVaughn Flynn, Staff Reporter
St. Andrew Technical High School (STATHS) players celebrate after scoring a penalty against Charlie Smith during yesterday's Manning Cup action at Tony Spaulding Sports Complex. The match ended 1-1. - Junior Dowie/Staff Photographer
GROUP E STALWARTS Charlie Smith and St. Andrew Technical drew 1-1 to begin their season of the Inter-Secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA) Pepsi/ Sports Plus Manning Cup competition yesterday at the Tony Spaulding Complex.
The game was delayed by 45 minutes after torrential rains dissolved the white lime that is used to outline the field.
Three-time champions Charlie Smith got off to a confident start when Joseph Smike netted a free kick just outside the 25-yard box in the third minute to send the home team fans in a frenzy.
TACTICAL PLAY
However, outside of that early goal, the first half was slow and both goalkeepers were hardly threatened. STATHS controlled the first half with better tactical play but could not capitalise on the defensive lapses of Charlie Smith.
During the halftime period, Charlie Smith's coach, Jerome Waite, first acknowledged his contributing players then blasted the team for not sticking to the game plan and allowing STATHS to have a thoroughfare through their defence.
STATHS' coach, Wayne Fairclough, said the early lead by Charlie Smith did not worry him. "I know what my team is capable of. They are just too tense. They are allowing the situation to get to them; they need to relax," he said.
Seemingly invigorated by the halftime pep talk, STATHS came out attacking Charlie Smiths' defence and testing the agility of goalkeeper Davion Foster.
However, In the 56th minute Foster failed the ultimate test as Claude Darling scored the equalising goal off a penalty.
Charlie Smith countered STATHS attack with a few valiant attempts of their own but they were not able to take the lead.
Other results from yesterday's games were Donald Quarrie over Calabar 1-0, Bridgeport thrashed Holy Trinity 6-0 and Camperdown edged Ascot 1-0.
Meanwhile, former Walker Cup champions Jonathan Grant High on Monday withdrew from the Manning Cup competition after failing the ISSA requirements.
ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS
According to reports, academic requirements were the reason for the team's departure. ISSA rules states that player(s) should average at least 45 per cent to participate in any schoolboy/girl competition.
Jonathan Grant, the 1999 Walker Cup champions were drawn in Group A with Calabar, Donald Quarrie, Norman Manley, St. George's College and St. Catherine High.
Jonathan Grant are the second team to withdraw from this year's competition after Denham Town pulled out last week.
In the daCosta Cup, Marcus Garvey have pulled out of Group D leaving Brown's Town, Cedric Titus, Ferncourt, Ocho Rios and York Castle to fight for top honours.
The next set of Manning Cup games is scheduled for Friday: Group A - Norman Manley vs. Donald Quarrie, Calabar vs. St. Catherine.
Group D - Ascot vs. Bridgeport, Holy Trinity vs. Campion.
Group E - Dunoon vs. Charlie Smith, Jose Marti vs. STATHS.
