KC impress against Calabar

Kingston College (KC) advanced to the quarterfinals of the ISSA Walker Cup knockout competition with a comprehensive 3-0 victory over perennial rivals Calabar High yesterday at Stadium East.

KC produced an impressive display against their long-time rivals, with Kajay Fletcher opening the scoring in the 10th minute before Deshawn Byfield doubled the lead on the stroke of half-time.

Zaire Douse completed the rout in the 90th minute to secure KC’s passage to the next round.

KC head coach Jermaine Miller said it was a solid performance from his team, particularly in the way they handled Calabar’s high-pressing approach.

He said his team gained greater control in the second half after making tactical adjustments at the interval.

“I thought it was a really decent performance from the team. In the first half, Calabar was really pressing us very high. They brought five and sometimes six [players] to the frontline, and it made it a little bit difficult for us to play how we wanted to play,” he explained.

“I thought the second half we had more control. We looked at some things at half time. We looked at how they set up and the way they pushed their five and six players, and we found we had a spare man behind the first line, and we utilised that well.”

KC opened the scoring early when Byfield played Fletcher in on the edge of the penalty area.

With acres of space, Fletcher unleashed a powerful shot that found the roof of the net.

Both teams created half-chances during the opening half as KC enjoyed most of the possession while Calabar looked to strike on the counterattack.

However, KC doubled their advantage just before the interval when Byfield was on hand to tap into an empty net after an initial save from Calabar’s goalkeeper.

Calabar head coach Kemar Ricketts said the timing of the two first-half goals proved decisive.

He said the setbacks demoralised his players, who were unable to recover in the second half.

“There were several key moments in the game. The first action where the youngster picked up the ball up top and we didn’t do much to close down his shot,” he explained.

“We didn’t take our chances, and that was one of the biggest things today. We had a chance to go 1-1 prior to that second goal scored on us, and the game went into a different direction.”

Douse added further gloss to the scoreline in stoppage time in a manner similar to KC’s opening goal, collecting the ball in space on the edge of the area before blasting his effort into the roof of the net.

With the victory, KC advanced to the Walker Cup quarterfinals, where they will face the winner of today’s contest between St Andrew Technical High School (STATHS) and St Jago High.

Elsewhere in Walker Cup action, Jamaica College (JC) secured their place in the last eight with a 2-1 win over St George’s College at Ashenheim Stadium.

Wolmer’s Boys’ advanced after edging St Catherine High 5-4 on penalties following a 1-1 draw in regulation time.

Eltham High were also winners on the day, continuing their impressive Walker Cup run with a resounding 5-0 victory over Campion College.

gregory.bryce@gleanerjm.com