Kwesi Mugisa, Staff Reporter

Charlie Smith's Andrew Pang (right) attempts to win the ball ahead of Jamaica College captain Jair Gooden while teammate Adrian Christian looks on in ISSA/Pepsi/JN Walker Cup semi-final action at the National Stadium yesterday. Jamaica College won the game 4-2 on penalites after a scoreless full and extra time. - Ricardo Makyn/Staff Photographer.

ISSA/PEPSI/JN Walker Cup debutants Eltham High stunned the pundits when they eliminated defending Manning Cup champions Calabar 3-2 in semi-final action at the National Stadium yesterday.

In fact, it was a major face-saving operation for the defending champions, and much to the surprise of spectators around the ground, they found themselves 3-0 down at half-time. A loosely marked Dwayne Hunter rose high to head in the first of two goals just 13 minutes into the encounter, after a positive start from the Red Hills Road team.

Just as the champions looked to be regaining their footing, Tamoy Sibbles once again caused them to buckle, dribbling his way into the 18-yard box before blasting to the left of helpless Calabar custodian Curtis Chickroy in the 40th minute. If Sibbles' goal caused them to stumble, Hunter's second goal - another powerful header in the 45th which was tucked into the bottom right-hand corner, far away from Chickroy from a free kick swung across from the right of goal by midfield maestro Tremaine Stewart - knocked them flat on their backs.

"Right now we are elated at beating the defending champions. I'm really happy for the boys. I think they played to instructions especially in the first half," said Eltham coach Gregory Allen.

"However, in the second half we drifted a bit from the game plan and we came under pressure," he said.

A bit of pressure may have been an understatement as the champs almost turned the game on its head with two early goals after a positive start to the second period.

An unmarked Marlon Smith snuck near post to give Calabar some hope in the 52nd minute before the wily Ramone Palmer brought them roaring back into the game as he broke into the area to curl the ball around Eltham custodian Kelso Cousins from six yards away. However, while having quite a few opportunities to snag the equaliser, that would be as close as they got.

Frustration

To add to Calabar's frustrations, defender Kirk Duckworth was sent off in the 80th minute with a second yellow card. An infuriated David Hunt, coach of Calabar, declined to be interviewed.

In the day's other semi-final, Jamaica College got by Charlie Smith 4-2 on penalties to book their spot in the finals. Jair Gooden, Dewayne Williams, Kamal Bedward and substitute Marc Robinson netted for JC while Gillian Pusey and Dennis McKenley scored for Charlie Smith.

Jamaica College will face Eltham in the final at 3:00 p.m. on Friday.