2 weeks ago
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A double strike from Kshaine Gordon ensured Mona High ended the 2024 ISSA/WATA schoolboy football season with trophy success as they came from behind to defeat Excelsior High 4-1 in the final of the Walker Cup at the National Stadium yesterday.
Excelsior, who were seeking their eighth Walker Cup title, took the lead in the 12th minute as Damarley Williams’ right-footed strike managed to get beyond the grasp of Mona’s custodian Riquelme Edwards. Excelsior continued their fast start midway the half and were gifted with a glorious opportunity to double their lead but Kimarly Scott could only watch as his shot went high above the bar, from close range. A minute later Scott again was in the thick of things but failed to convert as again he skied his chance. Excelsior were made to pay dearly as Mona’s equalised in the 34th through Carlton Brown who capped off a brilliant all-round build-up play to power home his chance.
In the second half, it was all Mona as their forwards went into overdrive. Gordon pounced upon clumsy defending by the Excelsior backline to give his team the lead in the 52nd minute. By the 55th, minute Mona put distance between themselves and Excelsior as Marlon Cunningham rose highest from a Denzel McKenzie corner kick to head home his effort. Gordon, in the 76th minute, ensured that it was game, set and match as his right-footed shot rolled under the hands of goalkeeper Jamari Gordon which ensured Mona’s second title in two years following their Manning Cup triumph last season.
Dane Peralto, assistant coach of Mona, stated that majority of his players were appearing in their final game at the schoolboy level and they wanted to go out on a high note.
“It’s the last year for a lot of the boys, so they wanted to walk away with something. Therefore, they wanted to show their class. If we had done this all season, we would have been where we wanted to be but they took their chances on the day,” he stated.
Keon Broderick, head coach of Excelsior, in his post-game assessment, explained that as a unit they should learn a lot from this game going forward.
“Adversity builds character. This defeat will serve as a good lesson for them going forward and when you look at the dynamics of this team, we’re going to lose only five of our players going into next season. One of things we’re going to do is try and strengthen the backline,” Broderick said.
English (US) ·