Campion end 30-year wait for schoolboy football trophy
Published:Tuesday | December 13, 2022 | 1:27 AMLivingston Scott/Gleaner Writer
Ten-man Campion College captured their first ISSA schoolboy title in more than 30 years, after they defeated St George’s College 1-0 for the Colts (under-16) title at Calabar High yesterday.
Fourteen year-old Manning Cup forward, Kai Myles, got the game’s only goal from the penalty spot after his team went down to 10 players early in the second half.
“This is our first title in 30 years and it feels good,” said coach Odane Walters.
“It was disappointing going down to 10 players but I told them at halftime to hold their heads and we will get through it and we did.
“This means a lot and I hope from this we just continue going up and forward.”
He added that nearly all the players were a part of the Manning Cup squad and that experience played a huge part in their success.
He also singled out Myles for special mention.
“It was a very good experience getting to the second stage of the Manning Cup and the players that came down decided they wanted the Colts, and Kai Myles, the 14-year-old, he is exceptional. He is my best striker. He led from the front and he got us through,” Walters said.
Campion had the better of the first half and came closest to taking the lead when Myles rattled the bar.
However, after the interval Campion’s Zidain Smith was shown a red card for an off-the-ball incident.
However, when a St George’s defender handled the ball inside the area and Myles converted the spot kick, the advantage swung back in Campion’s favour.
St George’s pressed forward for the equaliser but to no avail, as Campion were resolute and solid in defence.
Meanwhile, Jamaica College (JC) came from 2-0 down at halftime to beat St Andrew Technical (STATHS) 5-2 in the Pepsi (under 14) final.
STATHS took charge of the first half with goals from D’Mari Gouldbourne (9th) and Kelvin Brown (14th)
However, JC responded six minutes after the break through Ajani Campbell’s brace (36th & 42nd minutes). Man-of-the-match Jamone Lyle then added another two in the 55th and 65th, while Jaheem Bennett (60th) got the other.
JC coach Wayne Palmer said his star man, Lyle, was “amazing” on the day.
“Most of the players look to him as a midfield general. But you have to give him credit today because he picked up the game and got two beautiful goals,” he said.
He pointed out that it was similar final to the one against Wolmer’s Boys a few years ago.
“A few years ago we played Wolmer’s and they were leading us 3-0. But I rallied the troops and made some changes.
“Today I didn’t make any changes. I had to shout at them to wake up but to come from two down and win is great, really great,” he added.
Orrett Wallace, junior football chairman at ISSA, said it was a successful return to full-fledged competition.
“This is a very satisfying season from ISSA’s standpoint. The recruiter for the under-17s was there for the rural finals last week and today he came to see what our young high school talents have to offer and if they have the potential to make the national team,” he said.
The all-island finals for both age groups will take place on Thursday at St Elizabeth Technical High in Santa Cruz.