Hyde downplays Clarendon favourites tag
Having recorded a hat-trick of 5-0 victories since the preliminary round of the ISSA/WATA daCosta Cup, Lenworth ‘Lenny’ Hyde, coach of Clarendon College, is hoping they can continue the impressive string of form in their second quarterfinal match against Manchester High School this afternoon.
“We’re playing well for most parts, we are scoring goals and keeping clean sheets, which is very important. We just have to try and maintain that. It’s going to be a tough game. We just have to stay focused and keep the players grounded in what we are doing right,” said Hyde.
“We ask them to improve in every game that they play and I think they are doing it right now. It will be just another game, and I hope we can continue on that trend,” he added. Last season’s finalist, one of only two teams boasting a perfect run so far in the competition, are labelled as favourites to get out of the group. Hyde said this will come when you are playing a good brand of football. “When you are getting good results and playing good football, people will have you as the favourites. However, the most important thing is what you do on the day. We have to try and let the players know that so they don’t have it in their heads, so it’s how we prepare for each game. That is my duty to keep them focused, keep the preparation up, keep the vibes up in the camp, and the rest will take care of itself once we put the best out on the field at all times,” Hyde said. “We get good results there. It’s a big field where we can try and hide the ball from the opponent, so that’s the focus if we can keep the ball moving on the field and be patient out there,” he added.
The match, set for a 5 p.m. kick-off, will be the second of the STETHS Sports Complex’s doubleheader. In the 3 p.m. game, Garvey Maceo High School will battle Cornwall College. Five other daCosta Cup quarter-final games will be in action.