The ISSA/LIME Walker Cup Knockout football competition takes centre stage today with the playing of two tantalising semi-final matches at the Constant Spring field.

In the curtain-raiser at 1:00 pm, St George’s College, who last won the KO Cup in 2011, battle 2008 champions Excelsior High in a much-anticipated clash.

In an equally enticing encounter, the defending champions Wolmer’s Boys, who are favourites to retain the title, are set to face 2002 champions Charlie Smith High at 3:00 pm.

The Neville Bell-coached St George’s outfit has been the dominant force in schoolboy football in recent years, notching four Manning Cup and as many all-island Olivier Shield titles in the last five years. They also lifted the coveted treble in 2011.

Bell’s team reached this season’s semis after manhandling Hydel High in a 4-0 rout last month.

Bell’s team reached this season’s semis after manhandling Hydel High in a 4-0 rout last month.

Excelsior High, guided by veteran coach Leebert Halliman, have been urban area contenders virtually every season of the last two decades and surprised some by defeating a formidable Jamaica College team 2-0 to advance to the last four.

Though St George’s are stocked with more outstanding players, Excelsior have shown they will be no pushovers.

In the feature game at Constant Spring, the Ludlow Bernard-conditioned Wolmer’s Boys, who are the only unbeaten team in the Corporate Area, are tipped to defeat ‘Charlie’ and secure back-to-back crowns.

Wolmer’s, as they have displayed throughout most of this campaign, were imperious in dispatching Spanish Town High 4-0 to make the semis.

The Charlie Smith team, coached by Jerome Waite, is the only one of the last four already eliminated from the Manning Cup and is expected to put in a wholesome effort to salvage any silverware this season.

Charlie Smith clipped Holy Trinity 2-1 to progress.

Meanwhile, the semi-final of the Manning Cup is scheduled to be played on Saturday.

Excelsior and JC are set for a rematch in one semi-final, while Wolmer’s and St George’s are lined up for a titanic clash in the other.

Yesterday’s Manning Cup results

Denham Town 3, Innswood 0

Bridgeport 2, Norman Manley 2