Wolmer's aim for winning start

Last year's beaten finalist Wolmer's Boys will be banking on star striker Rivaldo English as they aim to make a winning start against Pembroke Hall in their opening match of the ISSA/Flow Manning Cup competition at Heroes Circle today.

English, who is the son of former national player Irvino, netted 15 goals last season, to guide Wolmer's to their first hold on the Flow Super Cup title.

English's goals also helped the Heroes Circle-based school to reach the final of the Manning Cup, where they were beaten by Jamaica College.

English, along with Mario Salesman and Ramone Lewis, are the only returning starters from last season's team that will feature this season.

They have also retained the likes of former national Under-17 players Nickache Murray and Taj Griffiths, who were both on the bench last season.

Rudolph Speid, Wolmer's' technical director, said that he is very confident going into this season but that they won't be taking any of their opponents lightly.

"I don't know anything about this Pembroke Hall team, but I believe that they will be an improved team compared to last year," said Speid.

"There are four titles up for grabs this season, and we are trying to win them," Speid said.

Rebuilding mode

"We are in a rebuilding mode, but we have some players that didn't start last year that will be starting this year," he added.

"A lot of players came through the Wolmer's system this year, plus there are a couple of additions from outside so all in all, I expect that we will have a fairly decent team to compete effectively with the other teams in the Manning Cup," Speid stated.

On the other hand, Pembroke Hall have retained four players from last season's team, which failed to move from the group stages.

They are defenders Kemar Johnson, Kevaughn Thompson, Deno Martin, and Tajay Fletcher.

Marvin Thompson, coach of Pembroke Hall, said that he is expecting a good showing from his charges today.

"We know that they are the Super Cup champions, and going into this game, we have nothing to lose, and so we are just keeping the confidence in the camp high," said Thompson.

"Our aim is also not to lose, and if we can get a point, then that will be good for us," Thompson said.