St. Jago and JC march into Flow Super Cup semis

First time entrants St. Jago High and defending champions Jamaica College scored identical 2-0 wins on Saturday to book their respective places in the semi-finals of the lucrative ISSA/FLOW Super Cup football competition at the National Stadium on Saturday.

St. Jago, led by a brace from striker Ryan Smart dismissed St. Elizabeth Technical High School (STETHS) in the first match of the double header.

STETHS started out looking the better team, utilizing the spaces and pressuring the St. Jago defence that stood firm with the help of some very good goalkeeping from Akeem Chambers.

Tjhe former DaCosta Cup champions created a lot of goal scoring opportunities that they failed to capitalize on, while St. Jago was trying to hit them on the counter.St. Jago found a rhythm mid-way the half and ran at the STETHS defence that dealt with business at the back, well.

In the 43rd minute St. Jago was awarded a penalty, after Kirk Samuda was brought down in the box. Ryan Smart then stepped up to bury the spot kick to give his team the lead going to the break.

The second half was filled with a lot of action as both teams were attacking and creating a lot of goal scoring opportunities that went to waste.

STETHS striker Micheal Kerr fired a shot right at the keeper who made an easy save in the 53rd minute.

Three minutes later Smart completed his double thanks to a brilliant dribble from Shaqon Bryan in to the STETHS box leaving the ball right at the feet of Smart who finished with aplomb with his left foot.

STETHS was too eager and careless in front of goal which led to opportunities being wasted, while St. Jago piled on the pressure and remained solid at the back. STETHS did come close to scoring numerous times but the very acrobatic Akeem Chambers made some magical saves.

The second match between defending champion Jamaica College and Excelsior did have its moments. The first half was action packed as both teams attacked but just did not looked compose in the final third.

Excelsior did get a couple one on one opportunities with the keeper but just could not convert as the Jamaica College custodian did well to deny Excelsior a goal from point blank range.

The half did not produce any goals, but it was an exciting one as Excelsior went forward a lot but lacked the cutting edge and Jamaica College who did not look settled was very dangerous from set pieces.

Both teams came out after the break in similar fashion pushing forward and trying to break the deadlock. Possession was given up easily by both teams in midfield as they failed to make the right choice of passes.

Jahvain Russell gave Jamaica College the lead in the 63rd minute, when he guided the ball in the back of the net from a right sided crossed. The goal lifted the Old Hope Road Institution confidence and they looked more alert and comfortable. Not surprisingly, they sealed the game in the 74th minute when Donovan Segree made it 2-0, getting on the end of another cross from the right side.

Excelsior tried valiantly to fight back but most of the players looked dead on their feet.

The two goal margin was enough to see JC through to the semifinals, as they continue the mission to defend their title.