Rusea’s rally twice to secure draw

ELEVEN-TIME CHAMPIONS, Rusea’s High School, continued their slow start to the Inter-Secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA) daCosta Cup football season yesterday, with a come-from-behind 2-2 draw with The Manning’s School at Green Pond High School in St James.

The Manning’s School took the early lead through their playmaker, Devonte Rodney, in the 12th minute, the goal coming a few hours early of his birthday.

Abena Wallace found the equaliser for Rusea’s in the 31st minute to see the game level at the break.

Six minutes into the second half, Jhamaleek Porter restored the lead for the Savanna-la-Mar-based Manning’s team from Rodney’s through pass. However, the Lucea-based Rusea’s High would take a share of the points, when Aldain Beckford converted from the penalty spot.

Dwayne Ambusley, coach of Rusea’s, admitted that just getting out of the zone will be a tough task, but believes his team is getting better with each minute they play.

“In some areas we can see where the team has improved, but the major problem is still the team lacking the necessary fitness to play at this level. As the game went along we could see improvements, so we thank God for the point,” Ambusley said.

“We will just take it one game at a time. Just having the competition being played is a major plus for us in terms of blooding youngsters for the future. To not get out of the zone would be a disappointment. We have played the two of the more formidable opponents in the zone already, so let’s see what happens on Tuesday,” he added.

INDISCIPLINE

Everton Tomlinson, the veteran coach of Manning’s, believes indiscipline was the reason for them dropping points in a game he believes they should have won.

“We had a lot of chances and should have put the game beyond our opponents. However, the youngsters have so much fear and respect for Rusea’s because of the name. I am grateful to come away with the draw,” said Tomlinson who is also the president of the Westmoreland FA.

“I thought we could have won the game, but you know it’s schoolboy and it’s hard to get them to keep focused. There was some indiscipline in how they reacted to each other. The performance in the field was not bad, if we got the attitude right the result might have been better. It’s nothing to worry about as a coach, I have to identify their weaknesses and work on them,” he added.

In the first game of the double-header, hosts Green Pond High School went down 2-1 to Green Island High after squandering a number of chances.