Wolmer’s secure big win in Walker Cup

by

November 16, 2023

Photo

Jonathan Grant’s Domonic Grant (centre) and Campion College’s David Thompson (right), challenge for the ball during their Walker Cup football knockout match at Campion College yesterday. Watching the action is Derek Brandt of Campion College, who lost the game 2-1.

Wolmer's Boys' School clobbered Kingston Technical High School (KTHS) 4-0 to secure the widest margin of victory in the first round of the ISSA/Digicel Walker Cup schoolboy football knockout competition at Mico University College yesterday.

The first round comprises teams that failed to progress from the second round of the Manning Cup, and other winners yesterday were hosts Haile Selassie, who defeated Eltham 2-1; Excelsior with a 3-1 victory over St Jago at home; and Jonathan Grant, who overpowered their hosts Campion College 2-1.

The winners will tackle the losing quarter-finalists of the Manning Cup next week Thursday. Wolmer's are slated to tackle St Catherine High, Haile Selassie face St Andrew Technical, Excelsior tackle Tivoli and Jonathan Grant battle deposed Manning Cup champions Jamaica College. The venues for the matches will be announced at a later date.

Meanwhile, at Campion College, Xavi Lewis scored a second-half brace to secure victory for Jonathan Grant.

Campion started spritely and got the game's first goal-scoring opportunity in the fifth minute through Matthew Lloyd's powerful right-footed effort. It was denied by a superb save by Jonathan Grant's goalkeeper, Sheldon York, who was also called into action in the 35t minute to prevent them from going behind.

Jonathan Grant emerged energetic for the second half, with Raheem Smith's free-kick being their first sight of goal. Campion's custodian, Alex James, calmly handled the effort.

However, in the 56th minute, Lewis broke the deadlock as he netted a beautifully timed header. Through relentless runs, Lewis was again in the thick of things and provided Jonathan Grant a 2-0 lead by the 58th minute as he converted a magnificent volley.

Campion College, with their never-say-die attitude, pulled a goal back in added time through Matthew Lloyd, which only proved to be a consolation goal, with coach Ashton Blankson lamenting the missed chance to win a title.

" I think we had some struggles up front, and we really need to do a better job if we want to make strides to win competitions and do more to get the ball in the net. Having young players in the leadership makes it a little harder, but I think they gave a good effort. I'm happy with where we are now and want to do more come next season," Blankson said.

His counterpart Kemeel Wolfe, however, harbours ambitions of winning the title.

"I have to say respect to Campion as it was a well-fought game; however, I felt my boys were more comfortable with the ball and were more composed. We want to win a trophy this year, and it is there for us to take," Wolfe stated.

orane.buchanan@gleanerjm.com