JAMAICA College and St George’s College will contest the final of the ISSA/LIME Walker Cup knockout competition after recording victories in their respective semifinal encounter at Constant Spring playing field yesterday.

Jamaica College scored a 2-1 win over Hydel High, while St George’s College clipped Charlie Smith High 1-0 in the feature game of the double-header.

The close encounter might have been more exciting had it not been for soggy conditions which proved daunting for both teams as they struggled to settle.

However, it was Charlie Smith who dominated most of the game as St George’s College was slow into their stride.

The Jerome Waite-coached boys were enterprising in attack and had numerous chances to put away the game, but faulty shooting and a lack of composure in front of goal would prove their undoing.

The decisive goal came in the 77th minute when the lanky Amoy Brown was left unmarked at the back post and headed past Charlie Smith’s goalkeeper Leon Taylor at his near post.

Assistant coach of St George’s College, Marcell Gayle, thought his team played well, despite the tough underfoot conditions which prevented them from playing their usual brand of football.

“I thought my boys played well today (yesterday), we never had the floorish football like how we normally play… never the St George’s type of football.

But, nevertheless, we just did what we had to do. We got a one goal and we are grateful for it,” he said. Meanwhile, Jerome Waite is not fazed by the loss and is already looking ahead: “George’s made use of that opportunity that they got from the dead ball situation.

But, overall, it is a good experience for the team, and losing out at this time…a ll is not lost (as) we still have the LIME Super Cup and Manning Cup to focus on,” he noted.

The opening encounter between Hydel and Jamaica College was even more exciting. Hydel dominated the first 20 minutes of the game and was pretty composed and energetic going forward.

They, however, failed to create any goal-scoring chances. Jamaica College would later break the deadlock through a 38th-minute penalty by captain Junior Flemmings after a menacing run and attempted cross by Raffique Bryan was handled inside the area.

Jamaica College would extend their lead in the 78th minute when Flemmings provided an excellent pass from the middle to Akean Shackleford who expertly slotted home.

However, Hydel would pull one back two minutes later through a well-placed shot by Stephen Barnett.