William Knibb coach chats of mental advantage in 0-0 draw

WESTERN BUREAU:

Dwight Jeremiah, coach of William Knibb Memorial High, believes they scored a psychological away victory over Cedric Titus after both schools played to a 0-0 stalemate in their ISSA/daCosta Cup football match yesterday.

Jeremiah was disappointed in not getting the victory but is looking forward to their return leg clash tomorrow at home.

William Knibb and Cedric Titus remain level on 16 points, which is eight points clear of third-place Herbert Morrison Tech in Zone C.

"At the end of the game, we saw Cedric Titus celebrating a draw, which simply means they hold us in high regard. Psychologically we go back home ahead of them.

"It's (the draw) a blow for me with ranking points, because today we needed the win to stay in seventh, which is the highest we could go. Topping the zone is important, so we will be looking to get back to winning ways at home on Wednesday (tomorrow)," Jeremiah said.

William Knibb got a chance to take an early lead when striker Mark Lewis lobbed Cedric Titus' goalkeeper but the ball went wide of his target.

Cedric Titus found themselves in a spot of bother in the 38th minute after goalkeeper Jah Marie Forrester picked up an injury and had to be substituted, despite the medical team trying to mend his wounds for almost 10 minutes.

The visitors got a glorious chance to take the lead on the stroke of halftime. Theonjae Bennett put what should have been a tap-in from inside the six-yard box over the crossbar after Lewis shot was saved by the Cedric Titus goalkeeper.

William Knibb's prolific goalscorer Lewis broke free in the 66th minute and had a strong shot at goal, but the goalkeeper was equally strong with a right palm to deny him.

William Knibb thought they won it on the last kick of the game when central defender Tajay Cooper tapped in a goalkeeper half-stop from a free kick, but the assistant referee ruled it offside.

Cedric Titus coach, Derrick Pyrce, said they are looking to correct a few things for a quick turnaround on Wednesday.

"I would rate the performance at seven. We had players that stepped up and some making a few mistakes but all in all, it was OK.

"Instructions were given to certain players, which weren't carried out, however, in terms of build-up play and trying to break down the defence, we gave them some problems," he added.