Sweet double for KC – school lifts two trophies in one day

Photo: Members of the Kingston College U-16 team and coaching staff celebrate their championship win over Bridgeport High on Monday at the Constant Spring Field. KC dehtroned Bridgeport following their 2-1 win.

Kingston College celebrated a unique football double, retaining the ISSA/WATA Under-14 title when they defeated Camperdown High and snatching the Under-16 title from defending champions Bridgeport High, following identical 2-1 wins in the finals at the Constant Spring Field on Monday.

KC got off to a bright start in defence of their Under-14 crown when Sajar Blair struck a fierce shot to the right of Tyrick Johnson in the second minute of play, but the keeper did well to dive to his right and save. But the champions were unable to create any momentum and despite domination possession their attackers were limited to long range efforts from a disciplined Camperdown unit.

It didn’t take long for the game to burst to life in the second half when semi-final hero, Dwayne Atkinson broke the deadlock. The wily striker outpaced his marker before slotting the ball into the far corner to give KC the lead a minute after the resumption.

The cheers of the spectators had barely died down when Camperdown drew level. A mix up in defence between centre half Scott McLeod and goalkeeper Naje Grace, allowed Wayne Henry to steal in and score into an empty net in the 39^th minute.

It was left up to winger Davian Williams to get the winner for the champions, when he scored a near post header from a corner kick in the 47^th minute to help KC win the trophy for a third consecutive year.

Kingston College showed the defending champions Bridgeport High no respect in the Under-16 final taking the game to them from the opening whistle and should have gone ahead in the 4^th minute. A brilliant in-swinging cross from Casseam Priestly picked out Kimani Allen at the back post but the midfielder headed the ball wide of the target when under no pressure.

KC continued to dominate the half with Jahmal Pusey and Horace Ramsay exerting their influence on the game but the Bridgeport defence stood strong. It seemed only a matter of time that KC would score, but instead the teams went in 0-0 at the break.

KC’s profligacy in front of goal in the first half was a distant memory soon after the resumption as Pusey fired home four minutes into the second stanza to give the Purples the lead. He then doubled the score with a quarter of the game to go as the North Street team seemed to be cruising to victory.

But a stunning left foot strike from Romario McPherson three minutes from time reduced the deficit to one. KC had to survive five nervous minutes of stoppage time before being able to celebrate a famous day in the school’s football history.

Both Kingston College teams are guided by Raymond Thompson who has an enviable unbeaten record of 53 games in his three years in charge at the school.