CATHERINE HALL, St James — The life of the back-up goalkeeper can be one of the easiest in a team, as most coaches prefer to stay with the first string for most of the season. But when called upon on the rare occasion, the second-string often gives a first class performance.

With one game under his belt this season against Edwin Allen on October 6, after Clarendon College had already wrapped up Zone H honours, the last thing Alston Cork, the substitute goalie at Clarendon College, was expecting on Saturday was to feature in the ISSA/Wata daCosta Cup final against Cornwall College before a jam-packed Montego Bay Sports Complex.

Eighteen-year-old Cork, who had played in just that one game all year, was probably more shocked than anyone in the venue when, in the 14th minute, Tafari Chambers was red-carded by referee Oshane Nation after he handled the ball outside of his 18-yard area.

“When I saw the red card I was wondering what was going to happen next,” he told the Jamaica Observer.

What happened was that midfielder Roderick Granville was sacrificed and Cork went on in place of Chambers, but almost gave up a goal when he misplayed a back pass from a defender in the 35th minute, though he reacted quickly to clear the danger.

“I was very nervous,” he stated, even as he was mobbed by his teammates.

With the help of his teammates he said he eventually settled down, but not before he made a few more blunders that must have put the Clarendon College team’s and their supporters their hearts in their throats.

The gasps eventually turned to cheers as he made a series of good saves in the second half and, despite not being able to stop a miscue from his own teammate in the 74th minute, scrapped his way to a good outing as his team won their eighth title and completed a perfect season with 15 wins.

– Paul Reid