‘We will come back’

THOUGH DEVASTATED about Maldon High School’s decision to withdraw from the Inter-Secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA) daCosta Cup, the team’s top scorer, Javaughn Anglin, says the team will rebuild stronger.

The St James-based Maldon were forced to withdraw from the competiton owing to difficulties being experienced with getting their team together in the wake of Hurricane Melissa.

“It is a setback for us, but I am confident that next season we will come back even stronger,” said Anglin, who scored 15 goals this season.

“I’m feeling a little upset, because the team was having a good season, but hurricane came in the way,” added Anglin.

Optimisitic, Anglin said he still has time to improve on his game.

“My talent does not stop at daCosta Cup. I will take the time to reflect and get ready for what is next to come. Thankfully for me, it is not my final year,” said Anglin.

Fortunately for Anglin, he was not badly affected by the hurricane, but sympathised with teammates who weren’t so lucky.

“As for the mood of my teammates, its hard. They are having it rough because some of them lost their house and stuff,” said Anglin.

Before the postponement of the competiton, group 1’s Maldon were in last place on zero points after a 6-1 defeat in their first match of the round of 16 against Cornwall College.

Despite the inauspicious start to the round of 16, Maldon have loyal supporters like Jermaine Christie, who wanted to them to see the season through.

“I understand the reason behind the decision, but at the sametime it still hurt. First time reaching this far and to have it snatched away, rough,” Christie said.

“We proud of the team same way because they were on the move to make more history. We just have to rally back for next season,” added Christie

According to Maldon coach Dillion Thelwell, one of the major problems for the school was the lack of communication in the wake of the hurricane’s passage.

“It is just unfortunate to call it quits because I am not a quitter, but it is what it is at this time, and very disappointing,” said Thewell.

“We have been unable to have a full squad for two weeks. We tried again Tuesday, but we only had like six or seven players. It takes 11 players to play, plus substitutes, but we never had that,” he added.

According to Thelwell, the players are devastated.

“Being here and now not to be in the competiton is devastating for them, especially knowing that they work so hard from June,” Thelwell said.

“We always wanted to be at this stage of the tournament and see how best we could finish as one of the top teams of the country,” added Thelwell.

A statement from ISSA said Maldon withdrew due to difficulties being experienced with getting their team together, due to Hurricane Melissa.

The withdrawal means Zone 1 has been reduced to three teams. And Maldon’s 6-1 loss at the hands of Cornwall has been voided.

The withdrawal is also good news for the highest-ranked team from the group that does not qualify, because they will earn a bye in the first round of the Ben Francis Cup.