Former champions Jamaica College (JC) edged Hydel High 1-0 to book their place in the ISSA Champions Cup final, where they will meet defending champions Glenmuir High.

Jabari Howell’s 45th-minute strike was enough to separate the two sides in a semi-final contest that lacked fireworks but delivered drama in crucial moments at the National Stadium on Wednesday.

While Jamaica College aim to cop the Champions Cup title for a third time, they will face a formidable opponent in Glenmuir High in what promises to be an epic showdown on Saturday. As such, Jamaica College’s Head coach, Davion Ferguson, is focused on ensuring his players are at their best heading into that game.

“It was a difficult game; we knew Hydel have quality, and they really came and pushed us back, but our boys were resolute. We wanted to get another goal, and it never came, but we managed to keep a clean sheet, which is important. So we look forward to the final on Saturday; the key now is to get the boys recovered. It has been a tough week for them both mentally and physically, so the key now is to get them recovered, and then we look at Glenmuir,” Ferguson said in a post-game interview.

Both Hydel and Jamaica College came out probing for weaknesses, but clear-cut chances were few and far between. Hydel had an early opportunity in the 20th minute when Dontae Brooks weaved past a defender, only for his left-footed shot to lack the venom needed to beat Jamaica College’s goalkeeper Adriano Kitson.

Jamaica College’s first real threat came in the 35th minute when Nashordo Gibbs delivered a delightful cross to the unmarked Jamoy Dennis. However, Dennis failed to capitalize, heading the ball over the bar as Hydel goalkeeper Idrian Robinson advanced off his line.

Just when it seemed as though the teams would head to the break goalless, Howell stepped up to deliver what turned out to be the decisive blow. Howell, left with space and time, unleashed a firm right-footed drive that zipped past Robinson at the near post on the stroke of the break.

Hydel continued to show life in the attacking third on the resumption, but their push for the elusive equaliser was undone by missed chances and a resolute Jamaica College defence.

At the other end, Jamaica College went close to extending their lead in the 58th minute as Javaun Mills embarked on a solo run, only to watch his shot curl just wide of the post.

Hydel’s best chance came in the 68th minute when Brooks broke free on the counterattack but failed to round the onrushing Kitson, who timed his intervention perfectly to preserve Jamaica College’s slim lead.

D’Sean Henry had a golden opportunity to level the score in stoppage time. On the break, with only Kitson to beat, his shot went agonizingly wide, leaving Hydel ruing what could have been.

While Hydel gradually piled on the pressure late in the game, the Old Hope Road boys remained composed, with Giovanni Taylor nearly doubling their lead in the 76th minute. Taylor’s break was thwarted by Robinson, who came off his line to neutralize the threat.

Hydel’s Head coach Devon Anderson acknowledged that they paid the price for not being more clinical in the final third.

“It was a game of chances, and JC capitalised on an error from our goalkeeper at the near post. We got a few chances to put the ball in the back of the net and we failed... goals win games, and once you fail to score, you will come out on the losing end, and that is what happened,” Anderson said.