Photo: Wolmer’s danger man Jaheel Hyde is challenged for the ball by Charlie Smith hard-man Odane Samuels during their Manning Cup semi-finals on Saturday. Charlie Smith won 1-0 to advance to the finals on Saturday November 22nd at the National Stadium.
Charlie Smith High School nullified the threat of Jaheel Hyde as they shut out Wolmer’s Boys School for the second time this season on their way to qualifying for the ISSA/LIME Manning Cup finals for the first time since 2011.
A 57th minute striker from Chevon Crooks was enough to seal a 1-0 win at the Stadium East Field on Saturday. It was the second win for Charlie Smith over a Wolmer’s team who they beat in the Walker Cup first round earlier this season, to end the two year reign of the Boys from Heroes Circle in that competition.
The game plan of Charlie Smith was pretty much the same as the first encounter between these two teams at Constant Spring. Stop Jaheel Hyde from scoring and hit Wolmer’s on the counter.
Odane Samuels did a perfect man marking job on Hyde following him all over the park, even when the Wolmer’s hitman went to get water.
The game had a relatively slow start as the performance of both teams mirrored the weather. Playing in rainy conditions, the players took a while to get going and it took eleven minutes for either goalkeeper to make a save when Leon Taylor in the Charlie Smith goal had an easy catch from a Khori Bennett header. The Wolmer’s forward had found himself on the end of a looping right sided cross from playmaker Rojay Smith but was unable to get any power behind it to trouble the Charlie Smith custodian.
With a quarter of an hour played, Bennett again found himself in good position but was unable to keep his shot under control when he met the ball on the half volley, with only Taylor in goal to beat from just about the penalty spot.
Crooks had the first shot towards goal in the 17th minute but it was high and wide. He then had a gilt-edged chance to put his team ahead three minutes later from a right sided Shamar Pryce free kick but his header when eight yards out and dead centre of the goal, was wide of the target.
Midway the half Bennett was presented with another opportunity but was unable to steer the ball home following a cheeky free kick from Hyde.
Crooks again threatened the Wolmer’s goal shortly after when he received a pass from Bebeto McDonald who did well to get past two Wolmer’s defenders before playing in his teammate. The resulting shot from Crooks from 22 yards was just over the crossbar.
The Wolmer’s midfield took control of the game with Smith showing his wizardry in the middle of the park. They were unable to make their dominance count however as most of what they had to offer was snuffed out by the hard working Charlie Smith captain Lemmar Stewart who was a solid as a rock at the back.
Four minutes before the interval, Smith went on another mazy run down the right flank before pulling it back to the top of the area for Bennett but the striker slipped on the soft surface when he tried to turn and the opportunity was lost.
A shot from Hyde in stoppage time had Taylor in difficulties but the custodian managed to keep it out as the teams went in 0-0 at the break.
The second half had an equally slow start as the first, but Crooks brought the game to life when he powered home past Shamar Simpson from close, range following a good team build up.
Ten minutes after the goal the alert Crooks almost pounced when Simpson spilled a shot from Pryce but the keeper was able to recover in time.
A minute later Smith was left holding his head when he failed to capitalize on a rare mistake from Simpson. The ball ricocheted off the thigh of the Charlie Smith defender into the path of the Wolmer’s midfielder but his soft touch held no difficulties for Taylor.
The Wolmer’s fans were up on their feet in the 77th minute when their team got the ball in the back of the net but the effort was correctly ruled out for offside.
Wolmer’s had a glorious chance to get the leveller four minutes from time when Hyde delivered a cross to the back post from a short corner which was headed back towards goal by Joel Pagon. Second half substitute Stuart Payne’s redirected header was just over the crossbar as Charlie Smith clung to their slender lead.
Two minutes later, Taylor came up with a brilliant save, palming away a free kick that was destined for the corner of the net, from another Wolmer’s substitute, Hakeem Smith.
The final whistle brought scenes of celebration from Charlie Smith and their supporters while it marked the end of a disappointing season for a Wolmer’s team from whom a lot was expected.
Winning coach Jerome Waite praised his team for their discipline showed out on the field.
“It was an excellent game from the players, they played a very good tactical game and put in a very disciplined performance. Odane Samuels stuck to the task today and nullified Hyde. We knew that if we nullified their offence then we could take it to them. It was a real team effort from the boys today.
“Credit must also be given to the performance of the team captain Lemmar Stewart, his performance at the back today was excellent,” he continued.
“I must also acknowledge the support of the principal and the other people who work behind the scene to help the team to reach thus far. The last time we were in the finals was 2011 and it feels good to be back in it again, it is good for us and it is good for the community,” Waite concluded.
Charlie Smith will play defending champions Jamaica College in the finals at the National Stadium on Saturday November 22nd.
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