Wolmer’s, JC clash halted by lightning
The feature ISSA/Digicel Manning Cup game between Jamaica College (JC) and Wolmer’s Boys at the Stadium East field yesterday ended prematurely after lightning struck and forced at least three of five players that went down to seek precautionary medical treatment.
In an eventful game, Wolmer’s came from behind to lead the former winners 2-1. However, with about eight minutes to go five players sunk to the turf after two rounds of lightning and had to be treated by the medical personnel on spot. One JC player appeared to be worst hit and was taken to the ambulance immediately, while a
Wolmer’s player went down after going to his changing room
and complained about pain in the eyes.
Both coaches said the incident was unfortunate but that the players’ safety came first.
“It’s unfortunate that it had to end like this,” Wolmer’s head coach, Alex Thomas, said. “But things happen and we have to just hope for the players from JC that went down and the players from Wolmer’s that went down, the best of health and a speedy recovery.”
JC head coach, Davian Ferguson, said “It is always sad when you see tragedy like that, and we just have to hope and pray that the youngsters are alright. We don’t have any control over what happened, but the first priority is safety and we just have to hope they are okay.”
He added that he was in full support of the referees in calling off the game.
“We would have loved the game to continue, but the safety of the players comes first, so it was the right call,” he said.
ISSA president, Keith Wellington, said he did not have enough information on the incident to comment and promised to make a statement when he has all the facts.
In the match, JC went ahead through Garrington Baker in the 14th minute, but Wolmer’s rallied and found the equaliser in first half added time when Orlando Russell headed home from close range. Five minutes into the second half the Alex Thomas-coached team went ahead when Deshawn Bernard waltzed through the JC defence, before slotting past Daniel Russell in goal. Phillon Lawrence also missed a penalty for JC, while his teammate Omar Thompson was ejected after a second yellow card in the 59th minute.
The remaining eight minutes of the game is expected to be played at a later date, pending a decision from ISSA.