Wolmer’s Boys’ motivated for something special

Coach of Wolmer's Boys' School, Jerome Waite, is warning rivals that they will deliver a treat to their fans, after being counted out before the start of the season, but now progressing to the quarterfinals of the ISSA/Digicel Manning Cup schoolboy football competition.

Wolmer's eliminated St Catherine on Saturday, after winning the second-leg of their second-round tie 2-1 to advance on the away-goal rule. The match was played at St Catherine's home of Spanish Town Prison Oval, but the first leg, which was Wolmer's home match ended with St Catherine winning 1-0, with the tie ending 2-2 on aggregate.

Wolmer's finished Group E of the preliminary round behind runaway leaders Mona and according to Waite, they are taking the competition in stages, as they seek to win over detractors, by putting in the necessary work.

"When we started the season not many people believe in the team, but despite this, the coaching staff and the players stood up well to the task.

"We have been taking it one game at a time from day one and nothing has changed. This will continue as all teams will start on level term here and the coaching staff and players are highly motivated and are ready to do something special," Waite said.

The veteran coach has been a household name in local football, guiding business houses, schoolboys and Jamaica Premier League (JPL) teams to respective titles in an illustrious career and must not be taken lightly when at the helm. He has also been the assistant coach of the Reggae Boyz.

He guided Charlie Smith to football glory in the past and took up a one-year stint at St Jago High, before taking control of his alma mater, Wolmer's, at the start of this schoolboy football season, in a bid to win the title after an average performance last year, where they failed to advance from the first round.

Wolmer's with the odds stacked against them in the match with St Catherine on Saturday and knowing that only a win will enable their progression to the quarterfinals, went ahead in the second minute through Jaydon Walters, which levelled the tie 1-1.

The Anthony Patrick-coached St Catherine, despite falling behind early, were back in business in the 24th minute when they drew level in the match through Jacque Watson to once again place them ahead on aggregate.

It was end-to-end action for the remainder of the match as both team tried hard to seize the initiative, until 15 minutes before the end, when Waite went all out for victory, by making four substitutions, which paid dividends immediately.

Nando Meggs, known for his heroics in the long jump at the ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls' Championships, silenced the vociferous home fans once again by scoring in the 79th minute for Wolmer's to win 2-1, allowing their progression.

Waite praised his players for their resilience.

"The team was plagued with major injuries throughout the season, including ace player Jahman Bell, who broke his hand on his birthday and his teammates were determined to win the game for him and advanced to the next round to extend the season for his return," Waite said.

Wolmer's will be in a tough group in the quarterfinals as they will be up against former champions, Jamaica College and St Andrew Technical High School, along with Haile Selassie High.