Wolmer’s oust champions, JC avenged
THE Walker Cup semi-finals last Tuesday in the ISSA/LIME Manning Cup served up a thriller as the defending champion Wolmer’s and Excelsior advanced. In the first encounter of the day, Manning Cup champions St George’s faced a stubborn Excelsior team.
Excelsior deployed highly defensive tactics to interrupt the dangerous attacking play the champions are known for. The ‘light blues’ still managed opportunities but their failure to convert the chances would later haunt them. After playing to a nil-all draw through regulation and extra time, the dreaded penalty kicks were employed to break the deadlock.
St Georges’ captain, Ryan Miller, and Oshane Boothe were the only players who managed to get past the Excelsior custodian. It was left up to Christopher Thorpe to calmly slot home the winner for Excelsior after Kareem Banton, Domoni Morias and Samuel Halliman all netted.
In the second semi-final encounter, Wolmer’s Boys showed true heart to come back from a two-goal deficit and edge Charlie Smith 3-2.
Captain Christopher Vasbert sent Charlie Smith into the lead from the penalty spot just 14 minutes into the contest.
He returned in the 46th minute to float in a beauty from the half-line which caught the Wolmer’s custodian Dane Lee off his line. Coach Ludlow Bernard lamented that his boys enjoyed the better stints of play and it was only a matter of time until they would hit back.
Defender Rennico Clarke was the unlikely scorer of the first as he headed home in the 61st minute. If Liverpool can boast a Suarez and Sturridge force, then all Wolmerian fans can boast of a Jaheel and Jordan show, as it was Jordan James who popped up to drive home from the edge of the penalty.
The match was heading for extra time when Jaheel Hyde’s shot deflected off a defender, to give Leon Taylor no chance in the goal and sink the hearts of the Charlie Smith contingent.
In the Manning Cup semi-finals on Saturday, Jamaica College looked to avenge their Walker Cup loss to Excelsior High and that they did. Junior Flemmings again led from the front as he gave his team a fourth minute lead from a well taken free kick.
Rafique Bryan added the second in the 28th minute. It turned into one-way traffic as Flemmings grabbed his second in the 51st and Sheldon Mckoy completed the routing of a tired Excelsior team, as lamented by Leebert Halliman.
Wolmer’s Boys’ vs St George’s appears to be the “el clasico” of schoolboy football as it is usually nothing less than a stunner. Saturday’s encounter was one to remember for seasons to come as it shook the hearts of all who watched. The lead switched hands three times in regulation time to end at three goals apiece.
Captain Ryan Miller allowed the St George’s spectators to erupt in celebration when he scored in the 94th minute.
The champions thought they had the winner, but the boys lived up to their motto ‘Age Quod Agis’ and it was captain Kemo Wallace, who stepped up to provide another goal in the eight goal thriller and equalise for his Wolmer’s.
This left the dreaded penalty kicks to decide and that was again St George’s downfall, as they were edged 4-3 by treble contenders Wolmer’s Boys’, who will meet Jamaica College on the final day of the season for the third straight year. The boys from Old Hope Road will look to get the better of a cohesive Wolmer’s contingent, as this time a victory will give them their 24th Manning Cup title.