Photo: Devonte Francis may hold the key to success for St.Georges College.
Jamaica College goes in hunt of their third title this season when they face St Georges College in the ISSA/LIME Walker Cup final at the Constant Spring Field today, starting at 2:30pm.
JC’s unbeaten run for the season will be put to the test by a team that has been lying in wait since November 3.
STGC has not played a game since being knocked out of the Manning Cup by Wolmers, when they were soundly beaten 3-0 courtesy of a Jaheel Hyde hat-trick.
Having returned to the comforts of home, on one of the best pitches in the country, to prepare for their last game of the season, the slick passing game of STGC should be razor sharp and on full display today.
The Sky Blues failed to win a trophy last season and are on the brink of doing the same again this year, unless they can bring a halt to the Royal Blues, who are probably the most balanced team in schoolboy football this term.
In “Neville Bertis” Bell, St.Georges has one of the most astute minds in the schoolboy football history and the wily veteran must be planning for the upstart Miguel Coley from Old Hope Road.
Jamaica College has pocketed two of the four trophies up for grabs so far and will be looking to make it title number three against St Georges College. They have been playing a lot of football this season and has made it to all four of the competitions final.
JC is battle hardened and has proven that they know how to win games despite how difficult it may get. Their mental toughness was on full display against a talented and determined Charlie Smith team in the Manning Cup finals and they will see today’s final as potentially, another jewel in the 2014 crown.
Captain Junior Flemmings has led from the front for his school, scoring crucial goals and providing numerous assists. The lanky Raffique Bryan has been doing his part scoring goals and is a very influential player for Jamaica College. They have not conceded many goals this season thanks to their well organized defense and their shot blocker Courtney Dowdie, who has shown a very safe pair of hands.
If St Georges College has any weaknesses it has been at the back, with Cardell Irving being at fault for at least one of the three goals that Hyde scored against them in the 3-0 hammering. The long layoff may be a blessing in disguise for the team from North Street but match sharpness may be a factor come 2:30pm.
STGC will be highly dependent on Gregory Messam Jr and Alex Marshall in midfield and Shevon Stewart and Amoy Brown up front to get past JC. Brown and Stewart have formed a good partnership up front and if anyone can unlock the JC defence then it will be those two. Devonte Francis may hold the key to their success however, as his will be a huge task in stopping JC from overrunning St. Georges.
After a season that promised so much and nothing yet to show for it St. Georges will feel that winning the Walker Cup is a must, but Jamaica College believe they have a date with destiny, so ultimately it will be about discipline, especially in defence that will determine the final destination of the corporate area knock out crown for 2014.
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