Bizarre own-goal dents Hydel hopes
DESPITE A sparkling third minute opener from Tray McKay, Hydel High conceded a bizarre stoppage-time equaliser to former champions Calabar High School, ending their ISSAFLOW Manning Cup Group G encounter in a 2-2 draw at the Red Hills Road-based institution yesterday.
McKay took the onus on himself, started a direct attack, dribbled into the penalty box and cleverly tucked away his opening strike inside three minutes.
He has scored six goals so far this season and is looking forward to helping his team qualify for the second round.
“I feel good to score, I really do as I was not at 100 percent fit as I had the flu, but I was just glad to go out there and play for my school,” he said.
“I am going out there to give it my A game against St Jago and hope I can help us win the game,” the player told The Gleaner about their next match.
The other scorer for Hydel was Brad Tulley, who tapped in an 88th minute finish, cleverly supplied by his captain Maleek Campbell.
BIZARRE ENDING
It was a bizarre ending for Hydel’s captain, Campbell, however, who brilliantly set up one goal, cleverly made a full stretch save in the first half, then saw an aerial ball take a cruel deflection off his head and an in for an own goal in stoppage time.
He was inconsolable after the game, as he broke into tears.
Calabar, who are out of contention for a spot in the second round, scored in the 73rd minute through Devaughn Gordon and equalised via the own goal in stoppage time (90+4 minutes).
The result has halted Hydel’s progression to the second round, which leaves them with a must-win game against second place St Jago High, at the Spanish Town Prison Oval, tomorrow.
The group’s automatic qualifiers are front-runners Bridgeport High. St Jago High follow with a 1-0 win over Cumberland on 19 points and Hydel 16, courtesy of yesterday’s draw.
Calabar High’s coach, Lijyasu Simms, said: “I like the fight from my team, it was a really good fight and there are some positives we will take from this season.”
Coach Donovan Duckie accused the referee for wrongfully deciding the outcome of the game by refusing him a late substitution.
“The referee should be ashamed of himself,” he blasted.