Injury-hit Volmer remains optimistic despite late draw with STATHS

Despite After giving up a goal at the death, Wolmer’s Boys head coach Jerome Waite believes his side should not be underestimated after a 2-2 result against St Andrew Technical High School (STATHS) in the Inter Secondary Schools Athletic Association/Digicel Manning Cup Round of 16 match at East Stadium on Friday.

Woolmers played superbly throughout the game and took the lead twice thanks to a seventh-minute strike from captain Daquan Duhany and a 34th-minute strike from Alex Wright.

However, STATHS managed to come back on both occasions: the first time in the 13th minute from Christiano Braun, and the second in the fifth minute of stoppage time thanks to Ajetai Marshall.

Disappointed by the points split, Waite said his injury-plagued side deserved more from the game.

“We should have finished the game before it was over. One of our players had a clear opportunity but didn’t take it. Beyond that, it’s a learning process and ongoing work,” Waite said.

“They have made a lot of improvements and no one has beaten one of the top teams (STATHS) since the start of the season. It’s a shame we have so many injuries now and we have to rely on the bench to see how best they can keep things going as we go along.”

The Circle of Heroes boys failed to reach the Manning Cup quarter-finals last season and lost to STATHS in their last eight Walker Cup matches.

Despite being placed in Group 3 with STATHS, beaten finalists Hydel High and multiple champions Kingston College, Waite is confident his team has what it takes to pose a challenge.

“If you look at the performance of the Woolmera team, they are not like the team of the past. I’m here to change the culture and you can see that’s what the players are buying into. But this work is still ongoing and we just need to continue to do mental preparation,” he said.

“We have two more games ahead. We are looking forward to the physical therapist and doctor to do their job. Tomorrow is the day we take time to recover and look at what we could do better.”

STATHS head coach Philip Williams said he would do some soul-searching after being baffled by his team’s effort.

“I’m not satisfied at all. In terms of character, it’s good to see us come back twice, but in terms of how we performed, I think too many of our key players underperformed. Playing for a team at this stage of the competition, if you lose, they will take advantage of you,” he said.

“We have to ask the boys whether they slept well or whether the food we prepared did not give them enough energy. But at this level a point is important because it’s better to get a point than nothing.”

Both schools now have a point in Group 3, with Kingston College and Hydel meeting on Saturday.

The top two from the group will advance to the quarterfinals.