CALABAR High Head Coach Andrew Price has praised his players for the excellent defensive display which propelled them to a 1-0 victory over St Andrew Technical High School (STATHS) in the Inter-secondary Schools Sports Association/Digicel Manning Cup Zone D encounter on Saturday.

Jaheim Rankine netted the all-important goal for Calabar in the 34th minute of the match, played at their Red Hills Road base.

STATHS finished the match with 10 players after Alexavier Gooden was sent off for picking up a second yellow card in the 54th minute.

The victory was sweet revenge for Calabar who had lost by the same margin in this season’s previous meeting between the teams at Collie Smith Drive.

Calabar have allowed only two goals in seven matches.

“I think it was a mature performance from us because I think my team decided that they wanted to defend their home ground — and they did just that,” said Price.

“Our players’ astuteness in our defensive structure is really great to see as it has developed over the season. We are very structured defensively, and we rarely give up opportunities. Playing seven games in the Manning Cup and only giving up two goals is a testament to our defensive prowess,” he added.

Price noted that his team’s finishing was a bit off as they should have scored more goals, but nevertheless he was happy to secure the three points.

“I think that we came out here and dominated for long periods but we need to be a little more clinical in front of goal — but that will come with time,” he said.

The win pushes Calabar to the top of Zone D with 16 points, narrowly ahead of STATHS (16 points) on goal difference. Camperdown High are third in the zone with eight points, followed by Vauxhall High with seven, Haile Selassie High with six, and Kingston Technical with zero.

STATHS Head Coach Phillip Williams was critical of the officiating during the match.

“I think it was a good game by both teams but the worst thing here was the refereeing,” Williams said. “It’s unfortunate that schools are investing so many millions in their programmes and then the officiating by the same programme they invest in is not sufficient from these referees.”

Calabar dominated the early proceedings but failed to breach the STATHS defence. Calabar were eventually rewarded, however, against the run of play when Rankine’s 25-yard shot rocketed past goalkeeper Jaheem Williams.

STATHS fought hard for an equaliser in the second half — and went close on several occasions — but they suffered a significant blow when Gooden was sent off for picking up a second yellow card. Calabar then dominated the remainder of the match, creating several chances but failing to convert.