KC, JC secure semi-final spots - Wolmer’s in control as rain interrupts game against Charlie Smith

A brace from Kingston College (KC) hitman Dwayne Atkinson, carried the defending champions to a come-from-behind 2-1 win over semi-final hopefuls Camperdown in their decisive Group G quarter-final encounter at Stadium East yesterday.

The result means Kingston College will join St Andrew Technical (STATHS) and Jamaica College (JC) in the last four. Wolmer’s, who had a 3-0 lead over Charlie Smith when their game was blown off at half-time at the Ashenheim Stadium at JC because of rain, are most likely to advanced with the other three.

Kingston College topped their group with seven points, the same as Wolmer’s should they complete the game with a win over Charlie Smith. But depending on the final result, Wolmer’s could take group honours if they get six unanswered goals against Charlie Smith in the remaining second half of the incomplete quarter-final fixture.

The Inter-Secondary Schools Sports Association is expected to announce a date for the completion of the game shortly.

KC’S CONFIDENCE

Meanwhile, Kingston College head coach Ludlow Bernard said they were always confident of getting the win and advancing to the semi-finals despite going in a goal down.

“We were not going to relent. We believe the Manning Cup title belongs to us, and we were always confident of getting the victory. We deserve the win because we were always dominant, always creating chances, so it was just a matter of time. We gave up our first goal of the season, but it’s not over as we have a title to defend,” Bernard stated.

Shawn Daley fired Camperdown into the lead on the half-hour mark when he was given room and raced through to score past David Martin to give the east Kingston-based team the lead. However, Kingston College were resilient, and Ronaldo Robinson should have brought them level when the ‘Purples’ were awarded a penalty moments before the break. But goalkeeper De Shawn White pushed Robinson’s effort against the post before securing the loose ball on the second attempt.

Nevertheless, the defending champions kept up their pursuit for the equaliser, and Robinson again came close when he redirected a cross just wide of the target. A few minutes later Atkinson’s free kick was mishandled by White, who would have been relieved to see the ball sail over the crossbar.

Soon afterwards, Atkinson broke away and lobbed goalkeeper White, but the effort was cleared off the line as Camperdown continued to live a charmed life.

However, the striker was not to be denied, and from the resulting corner kick, he hit a sweet volley into the roof of the net after the ball was headed back across the face of goal.

The rains came early in the second half and put a damper on proceedings, but KC went about their business in a no-nonsense manner, dominating possession and creating openings to score another goal.

They would eventually get the insurance goal in time added on (90+4) when Atkinson popped up to score his second of the game and give the champions three points, also putting them in pole position to take group honours.

In Group H, the already qualified STATHS defeated Jamaica College 2-1, who joined them in the semis despite the defeat by virtue of a better goal difference to St George’s College and Excelsior, who drew 1-1 in their contest, both teams creeping up to match JC’s two points.