Haile Selassie too strong for Denham Town

DESPITE playing in rainy conditions and a lengthy stoppage in play due to lightning, the Linval Dixon-coached Haile Selassie High team kept their composure, took their chances and surged atop the standings in Manning Cup Group C following their commanding 7-1 victory over Denham Town High at the Edward Seaga Sports Complex yesterday.

Haile Selassie were leaders from as early as the third minute following a beautiful all-round team build-up which was capped off by a sumptuous first-time effort from Jahwan Payne. That lead would be doubled in the 13th minute as Payne’s left-footed effort proved too difficult to handle for the Denham Town custodian Carlton Robinson. By the 30th minute, the Denham Town team was staring down a 3-0 tunnel as Tajay Allwood’s strike from outside the box crept inside the Denham Town goal.

The relentless pressure from the Haile Selassie team saw them becoming 4-0 leaders by the 50th minute as Payne completed his hat trick with another good shot. Despite being a thorn in the flesh of the Denham Town defenders, the skilful Joshua Dewar had to wait until the 69th minute to get on the scorecard as he comfortably notched home his chance from close range. Complacency seemed to have crept in the ranks of the Haile Selassie team as Keshawn Allen’s long-range shot, which looked harmless, was misjudged by goalkeeper Kevin Hibbert resulting in them conceding for the first time for the season.

Kishawn Valentine’s 84th-minute penalty and Joshua Dewar’s 90th-minute strike were the final nails in Denham Town’s coffin completing a resounding victory.

Dixon, head coach of Haile Selassie, stated that despite playing under less-than-ideal circumstances his boys gave a good account of themselves.

“It was a good performance and after the heavy rain and playing on a field that was wet, the team really stuck to the task. We know whenever you play under rainy conditions, you’re not going to see the beauty of the team but we capitalised on our opportunities,” Dixon stated.

Marvin Tate, head coach of Denham Town, in his postgame assessment, shared that he was disappointed with the referee’s decision to restart the game.

“The result and the game weren’t the real problem for me. I think the conditions under which the guys played were disappointing. To have restarted the game under the conditions was the main disappointment,” he said.

Other result:

Eltham 1-2 Jonathan Grant

Today’s games

Calabar vs Camperdown (Calabar)

Hydel vs Charlie Smith (Royal Lakes)

Kingston College vs Penwood (Stadium East)

Edith Dalton James vs Holy Trinity (Edith Dalton James)

Mona High vs St. Catherine (Mona High)

St. Mary’s College vs Norman Manley (St. Mary’s College)

All matches kick off at 3 p.m.

orane.buchanan@gleanerjm.com