Photo: Tahje Cooke strikes the ultimate blow for Kingston College who defeated Jamaica College 1-0 to defend the ISSA/WATA Urban Area Under 14 schoolboy football title.
Kingston College retained the ISSA/WATA Urban Area U14 Schoolboy football title when they defeated Jamaica College 1-0 courtesy of a stunning left footed strike from Captain Tahje Cooke in the 27th minute of the game at the Constant Spring Field on Wednesday.
Kingston College dominated the early play as they seized control of the midfield quickly through the left footed trio of Cooke, Casseam Priestly and Jamari Morrison. The first real threat on goal came from striker Akeen Smith who was fed down the right channel by wingback Richard Davis. Smith got by his marker before driving into the box, producing a cross that was scrambled behind for a corner by the JC defence.
Tahje Tulloch, Michael Allen and Smith were a constant three for KC, putting the JC defence under immense pressure and forcing coach Wayne Palmer into an early change, bringing in Javaughn Bucknol for Tah-Rae Gordon after only 20 minutes.
The move failed to have the desired effect for JC however, as just seven minutes later the defending champions were ahead. Allen went on another rampaging run down the right flank and delivered a cross for Morrison at the back post. Under pressure from three defenders, Morrison played back the ball into the path of Cooke whose effort from outside the box, sailed pass the despairing dive of Derland Hyatt and in the JC goal.
JC would have counted themselves lucky to go in only 1-0 down at the break.
The boys from Old Hope Road should have been level just a minute after the restart after Shaniel Thomas went on a mazy run inside the KC area before firing on target. His goal bound effort was deflected behind by a defender as KC escaped being punished.
The combination of Allen and Morrison almost put the Purples 2-0 ahead when the speedy forward escaped down the left flank before crossing for the fast arriving midfielder who was unable to get his header on target, despite being unmarked at the far post.
Cooke, who was nursing a sore hamstring, had to be substituted shortly after.
JC forced their way back into the contest and created a few half chances of their own but never really tested Shanthamoi Brown in the KC goal.
The final whistle was greeted with scenes of jubilation as the trophy made its way back to North Street.
KC coach, Raymond Watson who had famously said after the semi-finals that his opponents should “bring a bible” was pleased with the win despite being unhappy with a couple of things.
“I am happy but a bit disappointed,” he said. “A victory is a victory and we expected to win but I am sad because the Colts team (Under -16) never made it through. Four of our midfielders had injuries coming into the game making it closer than it should have been.”
With most of his squad still eligible to play again, Watson said he is “quietly confident” of going for the three-peat next year.
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