Norman Manley rally to beat Charlie Smith

Norman Manley produced a dominant second-half display to earn a come-from-behind 2-1 victory over Charlie Smith in their ISSA/Manning Cup football game at Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex yesterday.

Norman Manley secured the win with second-half goals from Kimmarley Richards in the 71st minute and Ashwany Knight in the 80th minute. Lashuan Dixon had given Charlie Smith an early lead in the 16th minute.

Norman Manley’s head coach Shane Gage praised his players for believing in themselves and working together to secure the important victory.

“Today it is just about the guys and the boys believing in what they are able to do. We just focused on trying to play united, having everybody united and executing, and that is what we did,” Gage said.

“This is a big move for us, and it is going to help them recognise and believe in the potential that they have because it has been a while since we competed at this stage of the competition. The first game was a little bit of jitters, but I think this game reminds them of the quality that they have. At the same time, it reminds us that we need to stay humble and just put in some work.”

Thunderous shot

Dixon gave Charlie Smith the lead in the 16th minute with a thunderous right-footed effort that flew past goalkeeper Dylan Davis and into the back of the net.

Despite falling behind, Norman Manley took control for much of the remainder of the first half and created several scoring opportunities but failed to convert them.

Charlie Smith started the second half looking the more threatening side and nearly doubled their advantage in the 60th minute. However, Patrick Deacon’s tame effort from 10 yards was comfortably saved by Davis.

Norman Manley regained control of the game and found their equaliser when Richards rose to head home a right-sided corner delivered by Dodd in the 71st minute.

Knight then completed the comeback nine minutes later, arriving in the centre of the box to neatly side-foot a cross past Davis and seal the victory.

Charlie Smith’s head coach Eugene Williams said his team’s shortage of available players proved costly as his players tired in the second half.

“It was a game of two halves, and we don’t have any substitutions. If you look at it, my players’ legs went and we didn’t have any replacements,” Williams said. “…We only have 13 players, so we don’t have anybody else. But it was a good effort from the boys, and you can’t bash them.”

Yesterday’s Results:

Norman Manley 2 Charlie Smith 1

Eltham 4 Vauxhall 1

Wolmer’s 9 Jose Marti 1

STATHS 4 Tivoli Gardens 0

Hillel 2 Denham Town 1