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Hyde credits discipline for Clarendon’s success
December 15, 2022
Coach Lenworth 'Teacher' Hyde credits his players' discipline as a major factor in Clarendon College's success this season, after they defeated Jamaica College (JC) 3-0 in the Olivier Shield at Stadium East yesterday.
Hyde was elated at helping Clarendon win the prestigious trophy for the sixth time, which is their second title of the season after they earlier claimed the daCosta Cup, which is played for by rural schoolboys.
"Wow, I'm feeling elated and happy. We played with a lot of discipline, sacrifice and you saw the results of that tonight because we came out and put on a big time performance. I must lift my hat to the players. This is the most disciplined set of players I've coached." said Hyde, who has been coaching for more than two decades.
He revealed that he holds the Olivier Shield in very high regard, having won it as a player during his schoolboy years at Clarendon College under the guidance of the late renowned coach Winston Chung-Fah.
"From my time, 1977 with coach Winston Chung-Fah, he always told me that this is the pinnacle of schoolboy football. I love the daCosta Cup, it's a nice competition for the school but it's the Olivier Shield, the winner of rural against the winner of urban (for me).
"Tonight we played a high press game because we started this match in third gear and from we started to pass the ball, it's over," Hyde added.
Clarendon College started better and were sent on their way in the 19th minute as the silky-smooth Marques Reid pounced upon goalkeeper Rassico Rose's mishap to slot home from close range.
That lead was doubled three minutes later as Devonti Hodges' powerful shot from outside the box proved too difficult to stop, with the victory sealed in the 84th minute as a defensive error was JC's downfall as Keheim Dixon gracefully pounced and slotted home from point blank range.
JC coach Davion Ferguson, in his third year at the helm, stated that they yearned for a hold on the Olivier Shield, despite winning two titles. He blamed fatigue on their loss after they played Kingston College (KC) in the final of the Champions Cup last Saturday.
"We have the Manning Cup and the Champions Cup but we really wanted the Olivier Shield, but it wasn't to be. You saw two teams, one having 11 days of rest and the other with just three days' rest. Clarendon College is a good team, and in my mind, they're the deserving winners.
"Mentally we were fatigued. It was a long season and to put what we put on the board all season was difficult, and today we ask of them once more, but they didn't have it in them," he disclosed.
