Anthony Foster, Freelance Writer
CHARLIE SMITH and Kingston College have one last chance to make amends for their disappointing showing in the 2002 Manning Cup second round today.
They will face-off in this afternoon's Walker Cup final at the Tony Spaulding Sports Complex. Kick off time is 3.00 p.m.
Both teams gained impressive semi-final victories in a competition played amongst the top eight teams in the Manning Cup.
Charlie Smith who will be seeking their second lien on the KO trophy won a hard-fought game against last year's beaten Manning Cup finalist Spanish Town 2-1, while eight-time winners Kingston College suffered a scare before beating Wolmer's 3-2.
Richard West who scored twice for KC will once again lead his team charge against leading Manning/Walker Cup goalscorer Marcelino Blackburn of Charlie Smith, who netted one of his team's two goals against Spanish Town on Wednesday.
Both are very good strikers and defenders may have a hard time restricting them. Coaches Jerome Waite of Charlie Smith and KC's Stratton Palmer were looking for improved performances today following the semi-final wins.
Palmer believes that there is hardly a defender that can mark national Under-20 forward Richard West one-on-one.
Charlie Smith's coach Jerome Waite says his team still looked a bit lacklustre owing to the fact that they are out of the Manning Cup but should be at their best today.
"Now it's a matter of trying to rejuvenate them for today's final," Waite said. "They are demoralised, so it's a matter of us trying to get them back in the right frame of mind."
After Wednesday's semi-final against Wolmer's, Palmer said there are a number of injuries in the team which he hopes will heal for today's final.
"It's a tough situation for us now. We really wanted to start preparation on Monday for next Wednesday but because of the fact that the match was brought forward we had to change that plan.
"We will now have to see how the injuries are and if any thing keep the make shift thing going and hope we can come out with a cup this year," Palmer said.
Past Walker Cup champions:
2001 - Bridgeport, 2000 - Kingston College, 1999 - Jonathan Grant, 1998 - Dunoon, 1997 - No winners, 1996 - Tivoli, 1995 - Charlie Smith, 1994 - Tivoli, 1993 - St. George's, 1992 - St. George's, 1991 - St. George's, 1990 - Excelsior, 1989 - Meadowbrook, 1988 - Camperdown, 1987 - Kingston College, 1986 - Meadowbrook, 1985 - St. George's, 1984 - St. George's, 1983 - St. Georges, 1982 - Camperdown, 1981 - KTHS, 1980 - Excelsior, 1979 - Excelsior, 1978 - Tivoli, 1977 - Kingston College, 1976 - Calabar 1975 - Kingston College, 1974 - Jamaica College, 1972 - 73 no winner, 1971- Wolmer's, 1970 - Kingston College, 1969 - Trench Town, 1968 - Excelsior, 1967 - Excelsior, 1966 - no winners, 1965 - Kingston College, 1964 - Kingston College, 1963 - Kingston College, 1962 - KTHS, 1961 - St. George's College.
