Calabar hold Jamaica College in season opener

Photo: Khori Edmond lashes home his second goal of the game for Jamaica College but the defending champions were held 2-2 by Calabar on the opening day of the 2015 Schoolboy Football season.

The Calabar Lions just failed to tame the True Blue Jamaica College from Hope Road on the opening day of Schoolboy Football when they played out a 2-2 draw at the Catherine Hall Sports Complex last Saturday.

There was a real lack of creativity in attack from both sides early on, but Jamaica College did manage to create one clear cut opening in the 20th minute when Ronaldo Brown dribbled down the left flank but his effort could not force a save from the Calabar custodian from close range.

Jamaica College got the lead through Khori Edmond in minute 31, when he slotted home easily from close range. The tempo of the game never changed despite the goal as both teams gave up possession too easily.

Three minutes after the break, Calabar equalized, as they hit Jamaica College on the counter and Scott Moody’s attempted across was spilled by Jahmali Waite. What should have been a regulation catch went over the goal line as the boys from Red Hills Road got back into the game.

However, Edmond gave Jamaica College the lead for the second time after the Calabar goalkeeper dived over the ball. Edmond reacted quickest to the loose ball, lashing home into an empty net to put the defending champions back into the lead in the 55th minute.

Shane Reid replace Scott Moody for Calabar in minute 64th minute and his team equalized for the second time almost immediately as Romain Rollyns, showed good composure to pick his spot from close range.

Both teams continued to battle in midfield, with hard tackles and a lot of sliding challenges. Jamaica College tried to keep position but Calabar was equal to the task breaking up plays and not allowing their opponent too much time on the ball.

In the 90th minute Calabar could have stolen all the three points, but substitute Mario Salesman’s free kick from 24 yards hit the cross bar and rebounded into play.