Excelsior's Phillip Biggs (right) comes under pressure from Calabar's Avon Wright during the Walker Cup final at the Constant Spring Complex yesterday. The match was called off due to bad light with the teams level at 9-9 during penalty shoot-out. (Photo: Garfield Robinson)

After 120 minutes plus nine penalties from each team, the corporate area schoolboy Walker Cup knockout title remains undecided after the final between defending champions Calabar and Excelsior was called off because of bad light at the Constant Spring Complex yesterday.

The hotly contested match, played on a soggy surface, ended 1-1 after full and extra time.

The game will be replayed as the curtain raiser to the Manning Cup final on Saturday, November 29, if neither of the teams make the Manning Cup final. Otherwise, the game will be replayed on Wednesday, December 3.

Yesterday Richard Lewis opened the scoring for Calabar after just five minutes of play in a game that was delayed due to the fear of lightning strikes, but Juvanne Benjamin found the equaliser for the Leebert Halliman-coached team in the 61st minute.

Calabar were reduced to 10 players when Daine Ewers picked up his second yellow card two minutes before the equaliser.

The final result was probably a fitting end to what was a pulsating and keenly-contested affair from the opening whistle to the last penalty kick, as neither team deserved to lose.

Calabar signalled their intention from the kick-off with Richard Edite slamming the ball into the side netting.
Then five minutes into the contest, the Excelsior team defended poorly on a corner kick and Lewis slammed the ball into an unprotected goal to put the defending champions ahead.

The Alrick Clarke-coached team continued to have the better of play afterwards and could have increased their lead, but Excelsior came out more determined in the second-half, pushing their opponents back into their half.

Just shy of the hour mark Ewers cut down Phillip Biggs on the edge of the area to earn his second booking and marching orders.

The Mountain View school was on even terms just after, as Leon Powell spilt the Calabar defence with a precise through ball for Benjamin, who latched on to it and cooly slotted past Chevon Powell in goal.

As the game intensified, referee Ricardo Salesman had to be substituted by fourth official Raymond Bogle because of cramps.

And though Excelsior continued to pepper the Calabar goal, the Red Hills Road school defended stoutly.

However, they had to thank goalkeeper Powell, who pulled off two excellent saves to keep them in the game.

Both periods of extra-time failed to separate the team, although Andre Braithwaite came close to breaking the tie, but his 30-yard free-kick in the second period of extra-time hit the bar and went over.

And after nine players each expertly netted their spot-kicks in the shoot-out, referee Bogle decided that the light was insufficient to continue.

Both coaches gave credit to their players and each other for a well contested final.

"A well contested final, you couldn't ask for a better final," Halliman remarked.

"They scored against the run of play, we regrouped at half-time and got the equaliser. But inexperience took its toll on the team, although they played a splendid game... and I would like to congratulate Calabar on a fine game," he added.

His counter-part, Clarke aid: "This shows what good coaching is all about," in reference to himself and Halliman.
"Calabar did well in the first-half. Second-half we went down to 10 men. Excelsior came back roaring in the second-half.
But it was a good, entertaining game and hats off to Excelsior," he said. Both coaches also agreed that it was a good decision to call off the game.

Excelsior's coach Halliman was also quick to point out that his team will be severely affected by yellow cards picked up in this competition, which will carry over into the Manning Cup competition.

ISSA competition officer, George Forbes said that it was unfair for the teams to carry over yellow cards from this competition to the Manning Cup, but he explained that they will be unable to address it until next season.