KC, Camperdown advance to semis

Robert Bailey, Gleaner Writer

Camperdown High and Kingston College (KC) booked their spots in the semi-finals of the Inter-Secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA)/Gatorade/ Digicel Walker Cup knockout competition, following contrasting victories over Bridgeport and Charlie Smith, respectively.

In the opening game of the double-header, which was played at the Constant Spring Sports Complex yesterday, Camperdown recorded a 5-4-penalty kick win over Bridgeport. Both teams had earlier played to an exciting 1-1 draw at full and extra time, while KC registered a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Charlie Smith.

Richard Ward gave Camperdown the lead in the sixth minute. However, Kemar Philpots equalised for the Bridgeport in the 90th minute. Goalkeeper Rashaun Patterson, Hakeem Smith, Shevar Henry, Tevin Garnett and Rickardo Oldham were the goalscorers for Camperdown in the penalty shoot-out. Oral Williams missed from the spot for Bridgeport.

Coach delighted

Christopher Bender, coach of Camperdown, was very delighted with his team's performance.

"I think that we started out really well, we got an early goal and we pushed them on the back foot, so I am really proud of the youngsters," said Bender.

Bender's opposite, Anthony Patrick, was disappointed with his team's efforts. "We made a simple mistake in the first half and that cost us the game," said Patrick.

In the feature game, Jorginho James scored the lone goal for the North Street-based KC in the 48th minute. The skilful and speedy James made up for the his first-half close misses, when he collected a pass out of the midfield from Allen Morgan inside the 18-yard box, to fire home a powerful right-footed shot past custodian Kirk Morgan.

Trevor 'Jumpy' Harris, coach of KC, said the victory would put his team among the best in the competition.

"It was a good victory because Charlie Smith played a wonderful match, but so did KC," said Harris.

"We got an opportunity and we made use of it, and in the end it was good enough to take us through to the semi-finals of the competition," Harrris added: "This victory will put us among the elite teams in the competition, but we are still working hard as a team and, hopefully, you will be seeing better in other games."

Jerome Waite, coach of Charlie Smith, said: "KC was the better team on the day because they came out with a purpose and in the end they prevailed."

The long-standing coach added: "We looked a little lacklustre in all departments, but we have to give KC the credit."