Simms sizzles! - Charlie Smith strike late to sink Wolmer’s

NOT even the sounds of gunshots at the beginning of the game could put a damper on Charlie Smith’s last-minute 4-3 victory over Wolmer’s Boys in their Group C ISSA/Gatorade/Digicel Manning Cup match yesterday.

With the Charlie Smith supporters bursting at the seams to enter the Wolmer’s school ground for the top-of-the-table clash, gunshots were fired, apparently by security personnel at the gate, in a failed attempt at crowd control.

But that could not deny fans from witnessing one of the best matches for the season in a seven-goal thriller.

Charlie Smith, who started the day on top of the group with 10 points, moved to 13 from five games, while Wolmer’s slipped to third with eighth points with a lot of work to do.

Ascot moved into second spot with a 1-0 win over Dunoon Technical to be on 11 points, while Vauxhall High gained their first point with a 1-1 draw with Haile Selassie.

In front of a large turnout, the visiting Charlie Smith took an early lead but had to rally late on with two goals in stoppage time for an exciting win.

Michaelos Martin gave Charlie Smith a sixth-minute lead before National Under-17 striker Jason Wright pulled Wolmer’s level from the spot in the 25th minute.

Charlie Smith went ahead with a glancing header from Kemar McGhie in the 28th minute, but Christopher Campbell pulled Wolmer's on level terms in the 40th minute.

The maroon-and-gold clad home team then finally took the lead in the 51st minute courtesy of Dejanni Isaacs.

The Ludlow Bernard-coached Wolmer’s looked to have gained the upper hand and appeared well on their way to victory with time running out.

But Charlie Smith struck two vital goals in three minutes for a famous win.

Martin pounced onto a through ball from Arnett Gardens player Javonni Simms and fired past the advancing goalkeeper Amal Knight in the 90th minute for his second goal of the match.

But just when it looked like Wolmer’s were denied a victory and would have to settle for a draw, the talented Simms popped up with a beauty of a goal deserving to win any match.

Simms, who scored several goals in the premier league last season, latched onto a long ball, headed it past a hesitant Kemo Wallace in defence and from an acute angle, fired a ferocious left-footed shot into the roof of the net.

The goal might have damaged the morale of the Wolmer’s team, but more importantly, the school facilities as well, as fans celebrated wildly, on the roofs, fences and anywhere they could get their hands and body onto.

Nevertheless, it was a game which brought back memories of the good old schoolboy football classics.

Meanwhile, four second-half goals ensured former champions St George’s College a 4-0 win over Innswood in their Group E encounter at Winchester Park yesterday. Oshane Boothe, Romario Jones and Davion Kelly with a brace were on target for the winners.

Elsewhere in the group Tavan Nesbert scored a hat-trick as Spanish Town stopped Tarrant 4-1 and Meadowbrook edged Edith Dalton James 3-2.

In Group A, Calabar High blanked Greater Portmore 5-0 to solidify first position with 12 points from four games. Excelsior High stayed second on nine points after defeating St Catherine High 3-0.

In Group B action today Papine take on Tivoli Gardens; Hydel High oppose Denham Town and Campion College host Waterford High.

High-riding Camperdown High travel to Kingston Technical; Jamaica College play Pembroke Hall and St Jago tackle Cumberland in Group D action.

In Group F, Kingston College host Ardenne and Donald Quarrie play Penwood High. St Mary’s College host Bridgeport High and Oberlin take on St Andrew Technical High School (STATHS) in Group G.

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