Defending champions St George’s College (STGC) stayed on course to retain their Flow/ISSA Walker Cup corporate area knockout title with an impressive 3-2 win over St Jago High at the Constant Spring Field on Wednesday.
While defending Manning Cup and Oliver Shield champion, Jamaica College (JC) were eliminated 4-3 on penalties by Wolmer’s Boys after playing to a 0-0 draw in normal and extra time.
St George’s, the most successful school with nine Walker Cup titles will are set to tackle Wolmer’s Boys’ on Saturday, November 28 if neither schools are in the final of the Manning Cup. If one or both are in the Manning Cup final, then the Walker Cup final will be push back until Wednesday, December 2.
So there will be no repeat of last year’s final between the two most successful teams in the last decade in Jamaica College and St George’s College.
JC and Wolmer’s who notched identical quarterfinal 5-4 penalty wins over Charlie Smith and Hydel High respectively, battled hard in the curtain raiser and after 90 minute they could not be separated. The 20 minutes extra time could not find a goal and unto the dreaded penalty kicks in which Wolmer’s emerged victorious. The Heroes Circle team will be looking to add to their three titles last won in 2013.
The second and feature game pitted two of the most prolific schools in the corporate area and fans were living anxiously on the edge of their seats throughout.
Title favourites STGC struck first in the 12th minute when the dangerous Shevon Stewart fired home. But St Jago, who dismissed Kingston College 2-0 in the quarterfinal game, responded quickly courtesy of the skilful Ryan Smart in the 19th minute as the half ended 1-1.
The Light Blues once again gained the ascendancy in the 60th minute Alex Marshall’s freekick eluded everyone and bounced into the back of the net. Then captain marvelous, Stewart extended St George’s lead in the 68th minute following a neat buildup.
But the Monk Street Boys refused to give in and Shand-D Thompson pulled St Jago within touching distance with a long-range effort in the 75th minute. However, St George’s held on as St Jago searched for the equalizing goal which never came.
The final will be another humdinger of a game between St George’s College and Wolmer’s Boys worth going miles to see.
