Maldon’s top scorer looking to ‘come back even stronger’ - St James-based school forced to withdraw from daCosta Cup as Hurricane Melissa impacts players

Despite feeling devastated with Maldon High School's decision to withdraw from the Inter-Secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA) daCosta Cup Round of 16, top scorer Javaughn Anglin said the team will rebuild stronger.

The St James- based Maldon High was forced to withdraw from the competition owing to difficulties being experienced with getting their team together, due to 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.

The team was set to return to action on Saturday against Christiana High at Manchester High School, at 3 p.m.

"I'm feeling a little upset because the team was having a good season but hurricane came in the way," bemoaned Anglin.

The striker says 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," he said.

LOST HOUSE

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

"As for the mood of my teammates, it's hard. They are having it rough because some of them lost their house and stuff," he shared.

Before the postponement of the competition, Maldon were positioned in last place in Group 1 without a point, after an ugly 6-1 defeat in their first match, against Cornwall College.

The decision to withdraw is a sad situation for Jermaine Christie, a supporter of Maldon.

"I understand the reason behind the decision, but at the same time it still hurts. First time reaching this far and have it snatched away. Rough," Christie said, noting a lost opportunity for some players.

"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

COMMUNICATION CHALLENGE

With sections of western Jamaica ravaged by the hurricane, communication has been a challenge, according to head coach Dillion Thelwell.

"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 Thelwell.

"We have been unable to have a full squad for two weeks. We tried again on 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 feeling devastated.

"Being here and now not to be in the competition is devastating for them, especially knowing that they worked so hard from June," Thelwell said, noting it is really difficult for them as a family.

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

A statement from ISSA confirmed Maldon High's withdrawal from the competition, due to "difficulties being experienced with getting their team together, due to Hurricane Melissa".

ISSA said the withdrawal will result in the following measures:

Zone 1 reduced to three teams; their previous match versus Cornwall College is declared null and void; and the top-ranked team that did not progress to the quarter-finals will be given a bye in the first round of the Ben Francis Cup KO.