Excelsior, JC oncourse to retain titles

The semi-finals of the ISSA/Busta urban area football competitions get underway today at Constant Spring with the defending champions in both Under-16 and Under-14 age groups, Excelsior and Jamaica College, respectively, still in with a chance to repeat.

Defending champion in the Under-14 category, Jamaica College (JC), started like a fire engine rushing to a major blaze, trouncing Vauxhall High 7-0. The competition has stiffened since then, but they have managed to finish among the top four with some ease.

In today's semi-finals, JC will face Wolmer's Boys', starting at 3 p.m. in the feature of a double-header at Constant Spring Sports Complex. In the opener, the prolific Camperdown High will tackle Holy Trinity High at 1:45 p.m.

Reigning Under-16 champs, Excelsior, started the completion in somewhat disorganised fashion, playing the entire first game with only nine men as most of the squad was without a valid identification card. Luckily the fixture was good to them as they faced lowly Mavis Bank and were able to hand the inexperienced boys from the hills of rural St Andrew 3-1.

The Mountain View standard bearers have not stumbled since.

Tough upcoming game

For their efforts, the Aggies will get the Light Blues of St George's College for company in the feature semi-final, starting at 3 p.m. tomorrow at Constant Spring. This should be a tough game for the defending champions as St George's have been a free-scoring team this season and they also possess a solid defence.

In the first Under-16 semi-final tomorrow, Jamaica College go face to face with Wolmer's at 1 p.m. Both teams are evenly matched, with Dark Blues of Old Hope Road being the more attacking.

Both finals are scheduled to be played on Thursday.