Four join seeded Walker Cup quarterfinalists

A PLUCKY Jonathan Grant, Haile Selassie, Excelsior, and Wolmer’s Boys’ are through to the quarterfinals of the ISSA/Digicel Walker Cup competition with differing levels of ease yesterday.

Yesterday’s results mean that Haile Selassie will play St Andrew Technical High School, and Wolmer’s will be up against St Catherine. Excelsior will play Tivoli, and Jonathan Grant will face deposed Manning Cup champions Jamaica College.

Over at the Campion College field, a spirited Jonathan Grant defeated the home team 2-1 courtesy of a second-half brace from Xavi Lewis.

Campion, who started the better of the teams, got the game’s first goal-scoring opportunity in the fifth minute through Matthew Lloyd’s powerful right-footed effort but was denied by a superb save from Jonathan Grant’s goal keeper, Sheldon York.

York was again called into action in the 35th minute, plucking Lloyd’s effort from mid-air.

In the second half, an energetic Jonathan Grant team got their first real sight of goal on the back of a Raheem Smith free kick, which was calmly handled by Campion’s custodian, Alex James.

However, in the 56th minute, Lewis broke the deadlock, netting a beautifully timed header.

Through relentless running, Lewis was again in the thick of things, giving his team a 2-0 lead two minutes later, through the conversion of a magnificent volley.

Campion, who never quit on the game, managed to pull one back in added time through Lloyd, which only proved to be a consolation goal.

Ashton Blankson, head coach of Campion, said his team had some struggles on the day.

STRUGGLES

“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. We have to do more to get the ball in the net. Having young players doing 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.

Kemeel Wolfe, head coach of Jonathan Grant, said his aim is to win the Walker Cup this year.

“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.”

Haile Selassie had a similar home result to Jonathan Grant at home, clipping Eltham 2-1, while Excelsior were a little more comfortable against St Jago in a game that was expected to be tough.

Over at the Mico University College, Wolmer’s were the most comfortable team of the round, thrashing Kingston Technical 4-0.

orane.buchanan@gleanerjm.com

Yesterday’s Results

Haile Selassie 2-1 Eltham

Excelsior 3-1 St Jago

Campion 1-2 Jonathan Grant

Wolmer’s 4-0 Kingston Tech