DEFENDING champions Mona High waltzed into the semi-finals of the ISSA Walker Cup with a 3-2 win over Hydel High, despite playing with 10 men for the entire second half, at the Waterhouse Mini-Stadium on Monday.

It was a very good win for the Mona team as they kept their hopes alive of retaining their title, something they pledged to do for Coach Craig Butler who is hospitalised.

On the other hand it was a disappointing display from 2018 winners Hydel High, who bowed out tamely despite playing with an extra man for over 50 minutes. After the final whistle Hydel’s Tristan Williams was also red-carded for verbally abusing the referee.

Mona High will now face the winner of the game between Charlie Smith and Tivoli Gardens on Wednesday for a spot in the final set for Friday.

Winning Coach Donovan Duckie highlighted the quality of his team, stating that he wasn’t worried when they went down to 10 men.

“What is important is our programme and the standard that we exemplify. These boys have been training with the senior team [Chapelton Maroons] for all of the preseason so we know that our quality was superior to theirs,” said Duckie.

“So, what we did, we changed the shape somewhat to 4-2-3. We allowed our wing backs to play in the width, and we asked them to be patient. It was a good performance, though,” he explained.

Hydel’s Coach Alex Thomas said his team lost concentration too easily, which made it easy for Mona.

“We gave up two early goals in the second half, and we have to come back. But, we put up a fight and it was a wonderful season,” said Thomas.

Before the game there were question marks over the fitness of the Hydel team as they played on Saturday, losing 0-5 to Jamaica College, while Mona last played three days earlier on Wednesday and were better rested.

It was no surprise when Mona came out full of running and took the lead in the fourth minute, courtesy of Joenaldo Payne who nodded home from a corner kick.

Mona were in a dominant mood, hitting the bar three times before Hydel — in a rare attack — was awarded a penalty after goalkeeper Howard Robinson fouled Sean-John Curchar in the box. Havel Watson easily converted the penalty, making it 1-1 in the 40th minute.

Things then got worse for Mona as live wire Devrahj Singh was unfortunately given a red card by Referee Shandaye Edwards, after his attempted bicycle kick hit defender Damari Bowen in his face.

But Mona came out in the second half and looked as though they had the extra man, pinning Hydel back in their own half and looking the more likely to score.

Substitute Franklyn Mitchum did just that as he side-footed home after a brilliant cutback by Javade Wallace in the 71st minute, giving Mona a deserved lead.

Three minutes later, Sean Leighton could not be kept off the scoresheet as he tapped home in the 74th minute, making it 3-1 and effectively killing off the game — or so it seemed.

Just as the result was beginning to look settled, Hydel responded through Ackeem Ewan who slotted home in the 77th minute, reducing the deficit to a one-goal margin at 3-2 and setting up an exciting finish.

Meanwhile, at Ashenheim Stadium, St Catherine High defeated Vauxhall High 5-2 and await the winner of the KC/Calabar encounter in the semi-final.

Hydel High’s Seanarie Satchwell (centre) is tackled by the Mona High pair of Cleon Spence (left) and Sean Leighton (right) during the ISSA Walker Cup match between Mona and Hydel at Waterhosue Mini-Stadium on Monday. Mona won 3-2. (Photo: Naphtali Junior)