Ricky White four-timer helps Tarrant trounce Dunoon
Published:Sunday | October 9, 2022 | 12:12 AMDaniel Wheeler - Staff Reporter
TARRANT HIGH haven’t had much to celebrate in this ISSA/Digicel Manning Cup campaign.
Thanks to an impressive performance from Ricky White, however, they were able claim only their second victory of the season, defeating Dunoon Technical 5-0 in their Group D encounter yesterday at Excelsior High School.
For the most part, it was the White show for Tarrant, the attacker scoring four goals in 18th, 59th, 60th and 83rd minutes, with Ricardo Francis adding to the cause in the 63rd.
The result was also vengeance for the 2-0 defeat that they suffered last month at the hands of Dunoon.
In praising White’s performance, Tarrant head coach, Alrick Clarke, said his execution was critical, as he ensured that he heeded the game plan required.
“He is one of those guys that has talent but doesn’t follow instructions (at times). (Yesterday) was the first time that he really followed the instructions and based on the game last week (4-1 defeat to Norman Manley) what I was telling him was the right thing to do and he got the four goals,” Clarke told The Sunday Gleaner.
A tame first half, which saw Tarrant get their opener from the penalty spot roared into life as White converted yet another penalty 14 minutes into the second half, beginning a four-minute blitz which included the completion of a hat trick 60 seconds later.
White said that it was his constant study of the play of former Manchester United and Welsh midfielder Ryan Giggs that has been key to his performance amid a difficult season.
“I see how he positions himself on the field and I came on the pitch and did exactly that,” White said.
“We suffered so many losses so the coach told us to come out here and fight because we needed the win and we did that.”
Tarrant’s project under Clarke has been difficult to navigate as the veteran schoolboy football coach continues to build the programme in a similar mould to Norman Manley High where he was at the helm for multiple title successes. According to Clarke, there are signs of improvement, which he hopes will see his team take another step forward.
“Our offensive play is much better now than the last few games. A win here is a step in the right direction,” Clarke said.
Meanwhile, Dunoon Technical head coach Jahmai Pettigrew lamented his team’s unforced errors and defensive frailties, which led to that four-minute collapse. Pettigrew also pointed to a drop in effort, when compared to that 2-0 win against the same opponents earlier in the season.
“We were totally disorganised at the back. A little indiscipline crept into the game which was unlike these players. But we just have to get them refocused,” Pettigrew said.”
Tarrant are now tied on six points with Dunoon but move to fourth place with an improved goal difference (-seven).
Yesterday’s results
Group D
Tarrant 5 Dunoon 0
STATHS 3 Jonathan Grant 3
Norman Manley 3 Spanish Town 0