The ISSA/LIME Walker Cup semifinal between defending Manning Cup champions St. Georges College and Excelsior High got off to a slow start at the Constant Spring Mini-Stadium on Tuesday November 12th, but after the first shot in anger was struck by Amos Brown of STGC in the 13th minute the game sprung to life and would prove to be a treat for the many spectators packed into the small venue.
The ISSA/LIME Walker Cup semifinal between defending Manning Cup champions St. Georges College and Excelsior High got off to a slow start at the Constant Spring Mini-Stadium on Tuesday November 12th, but after the first shot in anger was struck by Amos Brown of STGC in the 13th minute the game sprung to life and would prove to be a treat for the many spectators packed into the small venue.
The ‘Light Blues’ enjoyed the bulk of possession in the first half as they pressured the Excelsior backline. Three minutes after the Brown effort, Oshane Boothe swiveled and shot producing a brilliant save out of Jonah Morgan who was to have a busy first half.
The corner that resulted from the save produced by Morgan brought out two more desperate saves, first from Morgan and then Hishrock Francis as Excelsior cleared their lines.
Cordell Benbow who was at the heart of everything good from STGC produced a sublime pass from the left side of the field that fed Shevon Stewart in the right channel but the forward failed to control and the chance was lost.
Moments later, Benbow went on a solo dribble, skipping by a couple defenders before seeing Morgan blocking his near post shot with his body for a corner.
The STGC attacks were relentless but the central defensive pair of Hishrock Francis and Rojeau Tomlin along with central midfielder Kurtis Christie repelled all that the Bertis Bell coached boys had to offer.
Excelsior had very little to offer in the attacking department and their main offensive threat Kareem Banton did more defending that attacking as the Ryan Miller led ‘Georges’ midfield controlled the flow of the game. The long ball to the forwards that Excelsior tried to play was easily handled by the rock solid defense of STGC.
As the half was winding down, Benbow floated a ball into the area for Brown whose diving header went just wide of the left upright.
Romario Bigby then turned provider for Benbow with a beautifully delivered right sided cross inside the six yard box. Benbow was left in agony as he saw his goal bound effort blocked by the Excelsior defence from which they launched a counterattack.
Samuel Halliman had a rare sighting of the STGC goal but his shot was way over the crossbar. This brought screams from the throng of Excelsior supporters, mainly girls who had packed into the western stand. The sounds of horns, vuvuzelas and pot covers were a constant throughout, creating a carnival like atmosphere, similar to ‘Champs’.
Excelsior would have the last chance before the interval when Christopher Thorpe fought hard to turn his marker only to see his toe poked effort brilliantly saved by a previously idle Cordel Irving in the STGC goal.
The second half was just as intense as the first but a much more even contest as the Excelsior team found it a lot easier to possess and pass the ball. Their main man Baton was able to get on the ball more and influence the game for his team.
Both midfields cancelled each other out as clear goal scoring opportunities came at a premium. Early in the second half Banton was played in by Chadeese Bennett but he snatched at the effort and it went wide.
Second half substitute Domani Morais provided width and pace for Excelsior down the right side as he gave another option for their attack.
The introduction of Martin Davis lifted the STGC crowd that had been silent and tense, stunned by the fact that their team was struggling to break down their opponents.
With less than a quarter of the game left to play Tevin Jackson provided the perfect pass for Bennett inside the box but he miscontrolled the ball allowing the STGC defenders to recover.
Benbow would get another half chance inside the box but after controlling well, the Excelsior defenders closed down his space and blocked his shot.
A no call for a free kick to the Excelsior team just outside the area was greeted with chants of “we want justice” from their supporters who cheered wildly, spurring on their boys who were giving as good as they got.
As they did in the first half, Excelsior would create the last chance of the second, when a bit of trickery by Banton allowed him to free himself and deliver a peach of a cross which glanced off the head of Romaine Hosang and went into touch.
The sound of the final whistle meant twenty minutes of extra time. The only clear effort on goal during this period was a header on goal by Boothe of St. Georges that was brilliantly saved by Morgan.
It was left to the dreaded penalty kicks to decide the outcome of the game and Excelsior would claim a 4-2 victory, Kareem Banton, Domani Morais, Samuel Halliman and Christopher Thorpe getting the job done for the Leebert Halliman coached team.
Photo: Excelsior’s Romaine Hosang holds off the challenge of Leonardo Brown of SGTC while Cardel Benbow looks on.
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