EXCELSIOR High booked their spot in the final of the ISSA/Wata Manning Cup with a 3-1 win over Eltham High in their semi-final match at the National Stadium yesterday.

The impressive Terrence Williams scored in the 50th and 82nd minutes while top scorer Kimarley Scott opened the scoring in the 45th.

Steven Bull replied for Eltham High in minute 70 and gave them a glimmer of hope.

But, just like in 2006, Excelsior emerged victorious and into the final of the Manning Cup on Friday.

Winning Coach Keon Broderick was especially pleased because it has been a trying season for his team.

“Even when we step away from the performance, we look at the preparation for the game — and I’m not talking about training — the way the boys were focused coming into this game, how early we got here at the National Stadium,” Broderick said.

“I mean, commendations to the medical team. They did an awesome job, especially with Nicwayne Patrick. He was down and out in the final game in the quarter-final, and he was up for this game. He was able to give us 75 good minutes. Commendation to that young man.

“But overall, for the rest of the team, I must commend the boys. We have been through so much — from even my first season — we have been through so much.”

Losing Coach Gregory Allen said some of his top players performed below expectation.

“Some of our key players didn’t turn up today and I believe that’s what cost us the game,” he said. “I believe with a little more discipline today the encounter could have been something different.

“But again, Excelsior pulled us to them, and I’m really pleased of the overall performance throughout the season from my boys. This was a historic run for me.”

Excelsior, having last won the Manning Cup in 2004, are looking to end a 21-year drought; and they started on the front foot, searching for that opening goal.

But it was Eltham that got a couple of half-chances and yet they still were hesitant, and it cost them dearly.

The ever-dangerous Scott collected a ball on the counter-attack and fired home in the 45th minute.

Excelsior came out with more vigour in the second half and duly doubled their advantage as beautiful combination play between Patrick and Scott teed up the latter and he made no mistake firing home in the 50th minute.

The boys from Mountain View were in a buoyant mood and at times toyed with Eltham with some slick ball movement.

But Eltham struck back courtesy of Bull in the 70th minute as he collected a ball and ran at the defenders before slotting home, making it 2-1.

The stage was then set for an epic end but Williams had other ideas and scored the goal of the match with a screamer in the 82nd minute.

BRODERICK…we have been through so much — from even my first season (Photo: Garfield Robinson)