STGC receives Hyde-ing as Wolmers is first to qualify for Manning Cup semis

Photo: Jaheel Hyde celebrates his third goal against St.Georges College on Monday. Wolmer’s won the game 3-0 to advance to the semi-finals of the Manning Cup.

St. Georges College (STGC) were on the wrong end of a sublime Jaheel Hyde hat-trick yesterday as they were sent packing from the 2014 edition of the Inter-secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA)/LIME Manning Cup competition. Wolmer’s beat the former champions 3-0 for the second time in just under two weeks as they became the first team to qualify for the semi-finals this year.

Playing just 48 hours after the shock semi-final loss to Holy Trinity in the LIME Super Cup, fatigue was expected to be a factor for the Wolmer’s team. However two first half goals from Hyde, one with either foot, followed by a second half free kick took them past a STGC team that showed very little potency up front, as Wolmer’s turned in yet another devastating performance against their rivals.

The attack by Wolmer’s in the 6th minute of play would prove to be a sign of things to come. Hyde broke down the left flank and whipped in a cross that STGC goalkeeper Cardell Irving should have handled easily, however the custodian parried the ball almost into the path of Shaquille McKay before recovering to block the shot to safety.

Both teams battled early for possession and control of the midfield and on twelve minutes STGC showed glimpses of what had made them dangerous all season. A delicate pass with the outside of the right foot from Gregory Messam Jr to the wily Shevon Stewart saw the diminutive striker faint left before going right and firing a shot into the side netting. Spectators on the far side thought he had scored.

The battle for territorial dominance continued and the robust Wolmer’s midfield were determined to make their counterparts work for every inch of space on the park. A crunching tackle on STGC overlapping wingback Stephon Gilzene by Rojeau Tomlin in the 25th minute was the perfect marker for the type of day the Light Blues could expect.

Messam led a fast STGC counter-attack in the 34th minute which ended with loud appeals for a penalty kick after Stewart fired his shot towards goal. The referee waved away the appeal as the STGC players and fans were left disappointed.

Two minutes later, the “Hyde show” began. A horrible mistake by Delano Brooks in defence who tried to clear with the wrong foot and lost his balance, let in the lurking forward who turned with amazing speed to pounce on the loose ball and fire past an out of place Irving in the STGC goal.

Down but not out, the boys from North Street went in search of an equalizer but were sucker-punched in first half stoppage time when Hyde got his and Wolmer’s second. Rojay Smith who was having a good game in his usual play maker role, did well to maintain possession on the right side before releasing namesake Rashawn Smith down the flank. The winger crossed inside to an unmarked Hyde who received the ball going away from goal on his left foot. Hyde shifted the ball onto his right foot and with almost nothing to aim at fired through a pin-hole and into the corner of the net to make it 2-0 at half time.

With the game delicately poised, STGC coach Bertis Bell was forced into action, bringing in Alex Marshall, at the start of the second half.

The third goal of the game would certainly be pivotal and within seven minutes of the restart, the game was all but over. Wolmer’s received a free-kick about 25 yards from goal which was fiercely struck by Hyde towards goal. The shot went directly at the STGC keeper and Irving somehow let the ball slip through his fingers and fall into the goal to make it 3 goals to Hyde and 3-0 to Wolmer’s.

It brought Hyde’s tally to 5 goals in two games against St. Georges College.

Wolmer’s could have increased their tally even further, midway the second half. Irving, clearly lacking in confidence dropped the ball yet again but McKay somehow managed to scoop the ball over the crossbar from almost on the goal line to spare the keeper’s blushed.

Stewart had a chance to get on the score sheet late in the game but Shammar Jemison came up with a brilliant save to deny the striker.

The final whistle meant the end of the road for St. Georges in another competition this season at the hands of the boys from Heroes Circle.

“First off all I want to lift my hats off to my team, rebounding from Saturday. This was the answer for what happened on Saturday,” said a subdued Ludlow Bernard.

“Saturday was a mishap and were determined to recover from it. We knew that were going be up against a very tough St. Georges College team, they were coming at us…hats off to them. I have to take heart from my players because recovering from Saturday was not easy, “Bernard concluded.

Bertis Bell was humble in defeat, “Congratulations to Wolmer’s, they are a good team and they were able to beat us 3-0 again today. Up until they got the first goal I thought we were the better team, but they scored and my team went to pieces. ”

Wolmer’s will now prepare for the semi-finals of the Manning Cup, but the season is not over for St. Georges College as they have a little matter of the Walker Cup final to play against Jamaica College later this month.