Paul-Andre Walker, Staff Reporter
THE ISSA/Pepsi/JN Walker Cup hits fever pitch today at the Waterhouse Mini-Stadium with two semi-finals pitting an arsenal of the best schoolboy teams against each other.
In the first fixture of a double-header which gets under way at 1:00 p.m., red-hot Tivoli Gardens, who haven't been beaten this season, will take on Charlie Smith.
In 1995, when Charlie Smith won the Manning Cup with what was a 'Dream Team' they also came up against Tivoli in the Walker Cup and had their hats handed to them with Steve Green and Craig Stewart scoring in a 4-0 victory for Tivoli.
Tivoli, with Dave Clarke as their coach (as he was in '95), doesn't want a reversal of the score lines.
In '95 Tivoli were the underdogs against Kevin Wilson, Kwame Richardson, Cornell Chin-Sue and Everton Bunsie. This time around it is the other way around, with Tivoli's Jermaine Allen and Ricardo Stern wreaking havoc on the backlines of their opposition. Charlie Smith had trouble getting to the second round of the Manning Cup and are very much a surprise in the Walker Cup semi-finals.
CHARLIE COULD SURPRISE
However, the track record of those teams that struggle to make the second round suggests that Charlie Smith, who have already dispatched high-riding Eltham, could have a bag of surprises for Tivoli.
Tivoli, though, are aware of this danger. "Those teams that barely make it to the second round of the Manning Cup can be dangerous," said Clarke.
Charlie Smith, if they are to have a chance, will have to depend heavily on Craig Hunter as the focal point of their offence against a Tivoli backline that hasn't always looked solid. However, Clarke has noted improvements.
"I have indicated to the guys that they have improved in the back. So much so, that I have begun to focus more on the midfield," Clarke said. In the feature clash at 3:00 p.m., Calabar and Wolmer's will vie for a place in Saturday's final.
Wolmer's, who were expected to be competitive this season but not to really challenge for titles, have surprised all.
They ran away with what turned out to be tough group, with four teams knotted in a battle for second place.
RECIPE FOR PEAKING
They have also found a way to steadily improve their game, which is a recipe for peaking at the right time and winning titles.
However, they play against a Calabar team which has only lost once this season and is tough all round.
"The Calabar team is a physical one. Their players are hard running and they are scoring goals," said Wolmer's coach, Vassell Reynolds, noting the danger that his opponents pose.
Wolmer's will be depending on the defensive capabilities of Nicholas Beckett, who has been having a great season from the sweeper position. They will also be looking for the sublime talents of Jermaine Gardener to show themselves.
Calabar's coach, David Hunt, is wily and has his finely-tuned unit honed in on today's semi-final game.
However, he is keeping his knowledge of Wolmer's - gained from watching their quarter-final against Norman Manley - close to his chest.
"I will not comment on what I know of them," Hunt told The Gleaner.
"I think that we will be competitive. We are always focused on winning and getting a good result," he said.
Walker Cup semi-finals at Harbour View Mini-Stadium
1:00 p.m.: Charlie Smith vs Tivoli
3:00 p.m.: Calabar vs Wolmer's
