Jeadine White produced yet another extraordinary performance in goal for St Andrew Technical High School (STATHS) as his team went to the feared Winchester Park and came away with a point as they held St George’s College (STGC) to a 1-1 draw on Tuesday.

The top-of-the-table Group A clash promised much, but failed to spark in a goalless first half. But if the first half was a lacklustre affair, the second half was quite the opposite as it provided lots of exciting moments for the large crowd that had gathered.

A string of fine saves at the start of the second half from the newest Jamaica national goalkeeper, coupled with a brilliant counter-attack, saw STATHS go ahead against the run of play, before they were eventually pegged back by the hosts.

The 18-year-old goalie says mental toughness was key to his man-of-the-match performance.

“For me, it’s a performance that comes from mental strength, because coming to St George’s is never easy for any team, whether big name or lower league teams, because the support that St George’s has is heavy,” he noted.

White’s recent international exposure with the Reggae Boyz was also credited as a factor by the player in his splendid performance.

“The experience that I received from going over in the senior team, playing against Ecuador, it helped me here today big time. There are mostly George’s supporters and every minute they are telling me this and telling me that and calling me, but at the end of the day I know that I am the one leading my team and at any given moment I might be called upon, so I have remained razor sharp to deliver,” he said.

But the STATHS custodian blames himself for his school not leaving North Street with all three points.

“Honestly, I think I shouldn’t have conceded that goal. It’s just something that I should learn from and take from this game. My team should have ended the game victorious, whether the chances St George’s got or not, because for longer periods of the game we were the ones controlling the game,” said White.

The game against St George’s College was the fifth one for the season for STATHS, and by all accounts, the toughest one to date.

“This is the most troubling game that I have had. Every other game my team controlled it — it’s as if I am not even there. They just do what they have to do and get the job done at the end of the day,” he shared.

STATHS surprised many last year, including red-hot favourites Kingston College, to make it all the way to the Manning Cup final where they eventually lost out on penalty kicks to Jamaica College. White believes that getting back to the final is a feat that can be replicated this season.

“I think the quality is not far from what we had last year. The only thing that might be a factor is age. These players are very, very young and coming from Under-16, but at the end of the day they have what it takes to deliver, it just needs a lot of mental strength and manliness.

“My experience will play a vital role in this team [as] the team is young and developing. I am a person who has represented the senior team overseas so I have that experience and know what it takes, so me being behind them is a big push for them and it helps boost their confidence.”

STATHS Coach Phillip Williams counts himself lucky to have White as his last line of defence.

“I thought we got lucky in some parts of the game Jeadine came up big for us also, making some very crucial saves. He is our captain and I am happy that he is between the sticks for us,” Williams admitted.

So, with five games in the first round of the Manning Cup, St George’s lead Group A with 13 points, closely followed by STATHS with 11, Cumberland High with eight, Tarrant High with seven, Papine High with three, and Cedar Grove propping up the group without a point to date.