Robert Bailey, Sunday Gleaner Writer

Jamaica College (JC) and Excelsior High secured their spots in the semi-finals of the ISSA/Gatorade/Digicel Walker Cup Knockout competition with wins over Spanish Town High and Bridgeport High respectively, at the Constant Spring Sports Complex yesterday.

In the opening quarter-final game, Excelsior needed extra time to record a 2-0 victory over Spanish Town.

Romaine Hosang scored Excelsior's opener when he headed home a corner kick from Delonte Pottinger in the 94th minute past goalkeeper Oral Williams. Substitute Tevin Jackson wrapped up the victory for the Leebert Halliman-coached Excelsior five minutes later, when he fired home from close range past Williams.Despite his team's victory, Halliman was not pleased with their performance.

"I think it was a poor display from us," said Halliman. "I think we used fitness to get the better of our opponents because we waited until extra time to really step up the pace of our game."

Halliman added: "I also think we made too turnovers because we weren't concentrating, but it is a pretty young team and they have mental problems."

JC sealed a spot

JC booked their place in the last four with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Spanish Town. National junior representative Junior Flemming scored the goal for JC.

The feature game between JC and Spanish Town provided a lot of excitement and entertainment for the spectators who were treated to some very good attacking football by both teams. Nicholas Smith came close to giving Spanish Town the lead in the 20th minute, but his 30-yards free kick was denied by the crossbar.

Spanish Town's striker Kevin Nemhard should have scored in the 35th minute, but after eluding two JC defenders inside the 18-yard box, his weak right-footed effort went wide of the target.

JC's best scoring opportunity in the first period went to Rafique Bryan. His 25-yard free kick was, however, spectacularly saved by the goalkeeper who dived at full stretch to his left to turn the ball behind for a corner kick.

JC dominated the second period and were finally rewarded when they were awarded a free kick just outside the 18-yard box. Flemming stepped up to rifle home his kick past the goalkeeper.

Delroy Brown, assistant coach of JC, was pleased with his team's efforts. It was a tough game for us because they are an unusual team," said Brown.

He added: "We wanted to score more goals but we didn't get to dominate the way we wanted to because this Spanish Town team has some amount of fight and grit in them."

Anthony Thompson, coach of Spanish Town, said: "I think we played only in patches but we should have won the game because we got some clear chances and we never made use of them."