JAMAICA College Head Coach Davion Ferguson was disappointed in the way the Inter-secondary Schools Sports Association Walker Cup final was decided, after a controversial decision in the penalty shoot-out saw them beat St Andrew Technical High School (STATHS) 7-6.

STATHS went ahead as early as the fifth minute as leading goalscorer Leon Brown headed home from close range. JC, however, would find an equaliser in the 58th minute when Malachi Sterling was tripped in the box and Captain Renson Sawyers converted the penalty.

With the game level at the end of 90 minutes it found its way to sudden death penalties which saw both teams converting six of their seven kicks. However, with the eighth kick JC’s Zinodean McLean had his effort saved by STATHS goalkeeper Jaheim Williams.

But fourth official Kesla Anderson informed Referee Tyrone Robinson that the ball was moving before the kick was taken. Robinson then made the decision to allow McLean to retake the penalty, which sent the STATHS players and technical staff into uproar.

McLean would end up converting the retake and St Andrew Technical’s Kevin Hall would fire his penalty over the bar to give JC the win.

Some of the STATHS staff and fans had to be held back by police and security while the match officials, including Robinson and Anderson, had to be escorted out by police.

STATHS Head Coach Philip Williams declined to give an interview after the match.

Ferguson, while satisfied he added to the school’s trophy cabinet, was a bit uncomfortable in how the match culminated.

“It’s always good to win a title but I didn’t like how it ended in the last part; I think that mars the final. It was two good teams going at each other for 90 minutes. I think STATHS thought they had it after we missed our penalty. The referees saw a moving ball and they called it back, but we would have rather not have that in the game. Overall, I’m pleased. We’re happy to win a title,” Ferguson said.

JC beat STATHS on penalties in the 2022 Manning Cup final, and while Ferguson wished it was the main urban area crown, he’s proud of his boys for their effort.

“I don’t know what type of consolation it is. Personally, I always want to challenge for the Manning Cup — that’s the prize — but after the Manning Cup what we did was really galvanise these youngsters to come out here and challenge for the Walker Cup. It shows that we have really good spirit and commitment in our camp,” he said.

JC now have four Walker Cups in the school’s history while STATHS’s near four-decade trophy drought continues.