Charlie Smith reach Manning final

Charlie Smith High registered a remarkable 3-2 extra-time victory over defending champions Jamaica College (JC) to seal a spot in this year's final of the ISSA/Gatorade/Digicel Manning Cup competition at the Constant Spring Sports Complex yesterday.

Charlie Smith's inspirational captain and playmaker Jovani Simms netted the winning goal in the 100th minute, this after they had surrendered a 2-0 lead in the second period.

Andrew Allen (26th), and substitute Lennox Russell (66th), were the other goalscorers for the Jerome Waite-coached Charlie Smith.

Substitute Kamario Osbourne (79th) and former Kingston College player Taval Whittaker (89th) were the scorers for the Alfred Henry-conditioned JC.

Hard-fought victory

"This is one of the better games that I have played this season," said Waite, whose team last won the trophy in 1995. "We knew that JC is a tough team to beat and they would not roll over and die, and they really came out fighting today," said the long-standing coach.

Continuing, Waite said: "We looked the better team throughout the game but, at times, we played in spurts and that brought back Jamaica College into the game, but I must lift my hat off to the Charlie Smith team because they have done extremely well."

He added: "This is a great achievement for us because it is a long time since we have made it to the Manning Cup final and so we are looking forward to it."

Charlie Smith dominated the first half with the very skilful Simms threading a number of passes through the JC defence to his strikers, who failed to capitalise on several clear chances. However, they were finally rewarded when Allen fired home a powerful right-footed shot past JC's custodian Sherrick Davis.

Playing in front of a capacity crowd in the second half, Russell doubled Charlie Smith's lead 21 minutes inside the half when his long speculative shot went through the hands of Davis and into the back of the net. However, Osbourne hit back for JC 13 minutes later when he fired home from point-blank range.

Supporters stunned

Whittaker then stunned the Charlie Smith supporters when he scored the equaliser for the Old Hope Road-based school a minute from time. However, Simms sealed the win for his team 10 minutes into extra time, when he out-sprinted two JC defenders to tap home a left-footed shot past Davis. JC ended the game with 10 men as co-captain Conroy Johnson was ejected for serious foul play in the second half of extra time.

Ian Forbes, manager of JC, said: "I think it was a game of two halves. In the first half, we backed off too much and we gave them far too much room to play."

Forbes added: "I think in the second half, we got our act together and we showed a lot of fighting spirit and I think, with a little luck, it could have been a different result."

The Arnett Gardens-based Charlie Smith will oppose St George's College in the final which is slated for the National Stadium next Saturday.