1. They withstood the early blitz: Jamaica College began the game like a house on fire but St. Georges College came through the opening five minutes unscathed and this allowed them to play to their original game plan.
2. Drew first blood – scored early: Scoring first and scoring early helped STGC to settle and put the pressure on JC. Playing a goal up allowed players like Amoy Brown and Shevon Stewart to play their natural game and truly express themselves. Stewart was especially dangerous on the day through the middle of the park and Brown proved equally difficult to contain down the left flank.
3. Maintained tempo throughout the first half despite the weather: After going a goal up, STGC didn’t back off and allow JC to dominate the game. They kept playing at a high tempo which helped them to counter every small period of JC dominance.
4. Took first half chances: Taking their chances in big matches haunted STGC this season. In the Walker Cup final they took their chances, even in the rain.
5. Tactical adjustment made by Bertis Bell: All season the two strikers for STGC have played off each other. In the final, Stewart and Brown played alongside each other with Alex Marshall playing in behind them and not so much on the wing. The twin strikers kept the JC defence honest and kept them in check.
6. Kept JC off the score sheet in the first half: Going in 3-0 at the break was massive for STGC. Had JC gotten one back before the break, the outcome may have been different. But that third goal proved to be the insurance goal in a classic final.
7. Maintained their discipline after conceding: After conceding early in the second half, STGC maintained their discipline, both in defence and in attack. This helped them to resist the JC onslaught and keep them at bay for most of the second stanza.
8. They refused to buckle under the pressure: STGC refused to buckle under the pressure when JC was coming “down the hill”. They defended in numbers and defended with purpose and pride.
9. Remained a threat on the counter: The three goal cushion allowed STGC to stick to their game plan even after conceding and it was reduced to two. That bit of latitude allowed them to keep two players up front when they were defending set plays, despite the aerial threat that JC posed.
10. Cordell Irving: Having made a few blunders this season, none bigger than in the Manning Cup quarter-final “must win game” against Wolmer’s, Irving redeemed himself in the Walker Cup final. His command of the 18 yard box, especially at set plays was very good. He met the crosses with a strong wrist on each occasion, punching to safety every time. His performance should not be overlooked or discounted.
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