KC's Theodore Washington (right) blocking a shot from Excelsior's Ricardo Haynes during yesterday's Walker Cup second quarter-final match at Ferdie Neita Park. KC won 2-1. -Michael Sloley photoAnthony Foster, Freelance Writer
KINGSTON College and Wolmer's advanced to the semi-finalists of the Walker Cup knockout football competition following 2-1 victories over Excelsior and Dunoon respectively at Ferdie Netia Park yesterday.
In the first game of the day's double header, a double strike from Luton Shelton in the 28th and 85th minutes handed Wolmer's victory over Dunoon. Tafarie Fairley scored for Dunoon in the 51st minute.
Meanwhile, in the feature game, goals from Lerouck Lothian (9th) and Richard West (90th) secured KC's semi-final spot at the expense of Excelsior for whom Horace Howell netted a 68th minute penalty.
Excelsior took early control but were surprised by KC when Lothian scored against the run of play. Excelsior goalkeeper Oshane Lewis misjudged a high ball and paid dearly as Lothian scored from 16 metres in the ninth minute.
However, Excelsior continued to move forward through Richard Haynes, Horace Howell, Richard Ximines and Narado Brown dictating the pace of the game to push KC on the defensive for most of the first 45 minutes.
Upon resumption, KC roared forward and made no less than six attacks on the Excelsior goal in quick succession but were let down by faulty shooting. Lothian was the main culprit. He should have made it 2-0 midway the half but after beating two defenders he made one touch too many and sent a wayward shot wide of the upright.
With the KC players tiring a bit Excelsior took control once again and found the equaliser. Throwing players into attacking positions, Excelsior were awarded a penalty following a bad challenge on Howell inside the box. Howell himself stepped up and made no mistake from the spot in the 68th.
Both teams went into overdrive late in the game and the action swung from end to end. With extra-time fast approaching national under-20 striker West was sent clear and he fired past Ximines to send the KC supporters into wild celebrations.
