Photo: Gregory Messam Jr on the go for St. Georges College in the Walker Cup. The striker scored two goals from the penalty spot as they overcame Excelsior High to move into the semi-finals to be played on Wednesday.
A Gregory Messam Junior double helped defending champions St. George’s College defeat Excelsior High school 3-1 to move on to the semi-final stage of the ISSA/Flow Walker Cup on Friday.
In the first of two games played at the Constant Spring field, St. George’s College was very ready for Excelsior as they started the game in a very good rhythm, passing the ball around but Excelsior was very watchful of the North Street base team.
Captain Shevon Stewart was the first to take a shot in the game as the St. George’s College midfielder found himself on the left side at an acute angle, taking a shot that went straight across the face of goal.
The Mountain View based Excelsior failed to maintain possession of the ball as the George’s midfield did not allow them too much time and space on the ball. Racing Senior did find space to play a ball behind the St. George’s defence for Thorne Buchanon , who provided a good cross that was just begging for a touch before it went behind for a goal kick.
The trio of Messam Jr, Shevon Stewart and Alex Marshall was always looking dangerous going forward and with each player always dismissing their markers with little difficulty it was only a matter of time before the deadlock was broken.
In minute 37th Messam Jr dribbled past two defenders and was taken down Ronaldo Bell inside the 18 yard box and the referee pointed to the spot. Messam Jr stepped up to take the penalty to get his first of the game.
The Neville Bell coached team could have double their score when Alex Marshall went past his marker and was only left to beat Romario Palmer, who did well to come and make a very good save just before half time.The ‘Light Blues’ went to the interval with the one goal advantage while out playing Excelsior.
After the break Excelsior looked more alert and was trying to find a rhythm early in the hunt for an equalizer. Romario Blackford shot from the top of the 18 yard box was welled saved by Jon Wilson in goal, tipping the ball over the crossbar.
Excelsior was gifted an equalizer after the St. George’s College defenders got careless at the back. It was an own goal by Gilzene after he deflected a cross past John Wilson who was off his line.
The Excelsior fans were still celebrating the equalizer when the outstanding Stewart was brought down inside the box and the referee correctly called a penalty for the second time and Gregory Messam Jr completed his double from the spot.
Stewart and Marshall were too hot to handle as they just walked past there markers like cones in training. Alex Marshall did put the game to bed in minute 79th when he received a well measured passed from Akeem Shelton that left him with only Palmer, who just got his finger tips to the ball but could not stop the ball from going into the back of the net to make the score at 3-1.
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