EXCELSIOR High and Wolmer’s Boys’ advanced to the final of the ISSA/LIME Walker Cup final with wins over St George’s College and Charlie Smith High, respectively, at the Constant Spring field yesterday.

Excelsior defeated St George’s (STGC) 4-2 on penalties after battling to a 0-0 draw after normal and extra time, while the unbeaten Wolmer’s came from two goals down to beat Charlie Smith 3-2 with basically the last kick of the match.

The date of the Walker Cup final is tentatively set for November 23, the same day as the Manning Cup final, but might be switched if either Excelsior or Wolmer’s progress to the Manning Cup showdown.

In the curtain-raiser, the Leebert Halliman-coached Excelsior matched the much-vaunted STGC in every department although the ‘Light Blues’ had better goalscoring opportunities.

But after 30 minutes of extra time the schools were still locked at nil-all and onto the dreaded penalty kicks where the Mountain View boys emerged victorious.

Kareem Banton, Domoni Morias, Samuel Halliman and Christopher Thorpe all netted for the winners with Romaine Hoshang the only missed kick.

For St George’s, Ryan Miller and Oshane Boothe scored the first two kicks before Martin Davis and Shevon Stewart missed badly.

The feature game was more entertaining from a goals perspective, with Charlie Smith, as usual, racing into a two-goal cushion and once again failing to hold the advantage and crumbling badly.

Just a few days ago they led Jamaica College 2-0 at the break and succumbed 4-2 in the Manning Cup second round encounter and with that in mind, Wolmer’s were always in the hunt.

Captain Vasbert Harry gave Charlie Smith a 14th-minute lead via the penalty spot after Kemo Wallace was deemed to have struck a player in the face.

Harry was at it again, launching a stunning 45m shot straight from the restart of the second half that caught the Wolmer’s custodian Dane Lee off guard in the 46th minute.

The goal caused a bit of argument as to its legitimacy coming directly from the restart without another Charlie Smith player touching the ball. But the FIFA law clears referee Gawayne Scott’s decision to allow the goal.

But the Heroes Circle boys responded from that stunning blow with the lanky Rennico Clarke nodding home a free kick in the 53rd minute. Jordan James pulled Wolmer’s level in the 61st minute with a scorching shot from just outside the box.

The stage was set for Jaheel Hyde, more popularly known for winning gold in the 110 hurdles at the IAAF World Youth Track and Field Championship in the summer, to deliver and he did in the 90th+3 minutes.

Hyde struck the ball firmly, but it took a wicked deflection and wrong-footed the outstanding goalkeeper Leon Taylor and sent the Wolmer’s faithful into ecstasy following their famous win.