Latest update April 19th, 2024 12:59 AM
Nov 17, 2014 Sports
– Darron Niles is MVP
By Franklin Wilson
Led by their Captain and the tournament’s Most Valuable Player Darron Niles, Stella Maris Primary School, following seven weeks of riveting action, emerged as the 2014 champions of the Third Courts Pee Wee Schools Football competition which culminated in breathtaking fashion yesterday at the Banks DIH Ground, Thirst Park.
Managing Director of Courts Mr. Clyde De Haas, Banks DIH Malta Supreme Brand Manager Clayton McLeod along with organisers Petra Organisation Co-Directors Troy Mendonca and Marlan Cole witnessed the pulsating final which saw underdogs Stella Maris upstage giant killers St. Pius Primary 2-0 on penalty kicks to take the championship.
Conceding a mere two goals going into this game, one had to look at Stella Maris as real contenders for the title and they did not disappoint. St. Pius did not get their billing as favorites overnight but built up that reputation over time; they however met a team that was not concerned about their {St. Pius} reputation but had a plan of their own which they executed with precision.
Captain of the new champions, Darron Niles was the player who led his side with assurance from the front; he was everywhere, taking the goal kicks, throw-ins and free kicks.
In tandem with Charles Chan, Nicklus Stanton and the tournament’s best goalkeeper (only let in 2 goals), Gavin Mark, Stella Maris gradually imposed their will on St. Pius while nullifying the danger man, Raymond Austin.
It became clearer as the game progressed that Stella Maris planned their strategy well which was to take out Austin. The new champs who no one ever felt had a real chance of taking the championship, continued to pressure St. Pius by creating the most promising goal scoring opportunities.
Stanton missed a volley off a cross by Niles early in the second half; he also missed another close chance towards the end of the first. They came close again from a corner taken by Niles midway through the second half as St. Pius had no real answers to the offensive minded Stella Maris boys.
The pressure on the former champs was evident when their coach was forced to pull a visibly fatigued Austin from the forward line. Chan went just outside the left upright for Stella Maris as the goal drought continued.
The closest St. Pius came to scoring was a free kick awarded them in the penultimate minute of regulation time following a handled ball by Simeon Alleyne. Their most potent player, Austin stepped up to take the kick but the wall of all the Stella Maris players was too solid for him to penetrate as the chance went a begging.
The ensuing 10 minutes of extra time failed to break the deadlock and penalty kicks was the next avenue to decide the winner. Captain Niles was the first to kick for Stella Maris and he clinically put away his shot past Austin who was the preferred choice in goal ahead of regular custodian Derrick Carter Jnr. who had a good game.
It was a decision that the St. Pius supporters were clearly annoyed with following the completion of the game. Their {St. Pius} first kick was sent outside the left upright by Brandon Solomon, Stella Maris increased the lead to 2-0 when Earl Grant blasted the ball past Austin.
The pressure was clearly mounting more on St. Pius as Austin stepped up to the spot to take their second shot which was saved excellently by the vigilant Gavin Mark to trigger wild celebrations by his teammates and supporters who swarmed Thirst Park as their thirst for victory was finally quenched; a deserved victory as they were clearly the better team on the day maintaining their reputation as the best defensive team.
Keon Mraques of Tucville Primary ended as the tournaments Highest Goal Scorer with 10 goals; the Best Coach was Mr. Wheatland Fordyce who was responsible for South Ruimveldt (reached semi finals) and Green Acres Primary Schools. Copping the Most Disciplined School award was F. E Pollard Primary, while Mr. Dave Adams was named the Most Supportive Parent of the competition.
In the third place playoff, Tucville Primary defeated South Ruimveldt 2-0, both goals were scored by Keion Marques in the 9th and 17th minute. In the Plate Section of the tournament;
F.E. Pollard defeated West Ruimveldt 4-0 in the 5th place game, Tramel McCurdy (6, 25) netted a brace with one apiece for Makhaya Jervis (24) and Quincy Williams (27).
St. Margaret’s Primary beat St. Angela’s in the 7th place game 3-2 on penalty kicks after a 0-0 stalemate at the end of regulation time.
Tucville and South Ruimveldt were recipients of trophies and a 32″ TV each compliments of Courts, while Stella Maris and St. Pius were each presented with trophies and a desktop computer each.
Managing Director of Courts Mr. Clyde De Haas in remarks to the players and parents at the presentation noted his pleasure in partnering with the Petra Organisation and Banks DIH to bring off another successful tournament.
Mr. Haas complimented the schools for the high level of football displayed throughout the tournament noting that his company was more than happy to support this level of football in Guyana which is rich.
He noted that the next generation of players that would represent Guyana at the CFU and CONCACAF levels would come to the fore from among these players which makes the tournament vital for the forward trust of the game.
Banks DIH’s Malta Supreme Brand Manager Clayton McLeod in his remarks also stated that his company was happy to be on board once again noting that he was amazed with the level of talent on display which augurs well for the future of Guyana.
Co-Director of Petra Marlan Cole in giving a summary of the tournament informed that a total of 125 goals were scored overall at an average of 2.3 per match. The competition kicked off on October 4th and a total of 56 matches were played.
The Ministry of Education, Allied Arts Department, Courts, Banks DIH Malta Supreme, Guyana Football Referees Council, Davis Memorial Hospital Medical team, Petra Staff, players, teachers, parents and fans were all complimented by Cole for their efforts in making the tournament a resounding success.
“Petra is not involved in this programme because we have to, but because we want to, and we believe it is the right thing to do for the students, the sport of football and our society. In doing so we are hoping to enjoy the continuous support from sponsors, the Ministry of Education, schools, teachers and parents.”
He said it is the ultimate hope of the organization for the tournament to impact most importantly, the student/parent relationship where more parents especially fathers will support their boys.
“And this will be replicated in the support for them during their school years which may lead to the young men doing better in school, especially those schools and students that are on the down side of opportunity.”
Please share this to every Guyanese including your house cats.
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