SAVANNA-LA-MAR, Westmoreland — In charge of a team averaging 15.5 years in age, Black River High Coach Vayden Hayle is taking a long-term, patient approach to the “project” at Black River High.

After drawing their opening daCosta Cup game against Godfrey Stewart High on Saturday, September 10, Black River ran into a strong Manning’s School team in their second game on Tuesday and were thrashed 0-6. But the former Munro College and Back River High player says they are not daunted.

“We had injuries today,” he told the Jamaica Observer after the loss.

“Our centre back had to come out, and the person we put in also had to come out so I think that contributed to the breakdown… anything that can go wrong will go wrong, and that is exactly what happened today — a bag of injuries. I only made one substitution that was not forced by injury and I used all my subs,” he explained.

He had high praises for the Manning’s team but said Black River missed chances.

“This is a very good team… [but] we got some good chances and [did] not take them, and injuries really got to us.”

Hayle, who said he returned recently to take over the Black River programme after being at Newell High for the past eight years, added: “We have 15 boys who can play in the Under 16 competition this year out of a 24-man squad, so it’s a pretty young team, average 15.5 years. We have a bright future; we just have to stay focused and keep working hard because we know the projects that we have here — it’s a three-year project.”

He said returning to his alma mater was an important step.

“It means a lot to go back and give back to the school that put me in the spotlight in terms of football,” he shared.

“So, we are just here working with these young boys and we know the future will be bright once we stay together and stay focused and don’t let this result get to us.”

— Paul A Reid