Manley dig deep against short-staffed Charlie

Norman Manley High School produced a dominant second-half performance to secure a come-from-behind 2-1 victory over hosts Charlie Smith in their ISSA Manning Cup game at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex yesterday.

Kimmarley Richards and Ashwany Knight scored in the second half to overturn Charlie Smith’s early lead and seal the victory. Richards netted in the 71st minute before Knight struck in the 80th, after Lashaun Dixon had given Charlie Smith the advantage in the 16th minute.

Norman Manley head coach Shane Gage praised his players for believing in themselves and working together to secure the important result.

“Today it is just about the guys, and the boys believing in what they are able to do. We just focused on trying to play united, having everybody united and executing, and that is what we did,” Gage said.

“This is a big move for us, and it is going to help them recognise and believe in the potential that they have, because it has been a while since we competed at this stage of the competition. The first game was a little bit of jitters, but I think this game reminds them of the quality that they have. At the same time, it reminds us that we need to stay humble and just put in some work.”

Dixon handed Charlie Smith the lead in the 16th minute with a thunderous right-footed strike that flew past goalkeeper Dylan Davis.

Despite falling behind, Norman Manley controlled much of the remainder of the first half and created several scoring opportunities but failed to capitalise.

Raynick Waisome came close to equalising in the 30th minute, but with the goalkeeper at his mercy from 10 yards, he fired over the crossbar.

Minutes later, Davine Dodd dribbled past three midfielders before unleashing a powerful right-footed effort from 18 yards, only to see the ball crash against the crossbar.

Damarco Bryan also went close on the stroke of half-time, but his point-blank header clipped the top of the crossbar.

Charlie Smith started the second half brightly and nearly doubled their lead in the 60th minute. However, Patrick Deacon’s effort from 10 yards was comfortably saved by Davis.

Norman Manley soon regained control and found the equaliser when Richards rose highest to head home a right-sided corner from Dodd.

Knight completed the comeback nine minutes later, arriving in the middle of the penalty area to neatly side-foot home a cross and seal the victory.

Charlie Smith head coach Eugene Williams said a lack of depth continues to hurt his team.

“You saw how the game goes. It is a game of two halves, and we don’t have any substitutions. If you look at it, my players’ legs went and we didn’t have any replacements,” Williams said.

“This is the team, because we only have 13 players, so we don’t have anybody else. But it was a good effort from the boys, and you can’t bash them. The team that we played against had 20 players on their bench, and we only had 13 players. I can’t say the reason for this, but these are the only players that I get,” he said.

Yesterday’s results

Norman Manley 2-1 Charlie Smith

Eltham 4-1 Vauxhall

Wolmer’s Boys’ 9-1 Jose Marti

STATHS 4-0 Tivoli Gardens

Hillel Academy 2-1 Denham Town