Latest update May 12th, 2024 12:59 AM
Jul 29, 2013 Sports
….beat Waramadong on sudden death penalty kicks
By Franklin Wilson
Wismar/Christianburg Secondary successfully retained the Digicel Schools Football Championship (DSFC) but not without a fight at the Police Sports Club Ground, Eve Leary last evening, a game that was witnessed by thousands of football lovers and supporters.
The Linden based defending champions prevailed in the battle of the best as they downed the Upper Mazaruni based Waramadong 1-0 on sudden death penalty kicks after a breathtaking 3-3 regulation time score line. Based on the competition rules, there was no extra time, so penalty kicks was the way to decide the champions.
When the first five kicks were completed, the score was locked at 4 apiece. It was now down to sudden death, and this is where Wismar/Christianburg held their nerves to win, Anthony Lane sinking his shot past goalkeeper, Gerald Isaacs, the number one choice but he came on as a substitute in the 23rd minute for Neil Henrito.
The top brass of Digicel including CEO Gregory Dean, Head of Marketing Jacquline James, Chief Education Officer Olatto Sam, Regional Chairman of Region #7 Gordon Bradford and his counterpart from Region #10 Sharma Solomon all witnessed a riveting climax to the 3rd edition of the DSFC which started on July 21st and attracted 160 schools throughout the length and breadth of Guyana.
While Wismar/Christianburg enjoyed easy passage to the final by whipping St. George’s Secondary 6-1 at the BV Ground, Waramadong were pushed to the hilt by a game Covent Garden at the Uitvlugt Community Centre Ground.
It came down to penalty kicks after Covent Garden clawed their way back from being two goals down, Waramadong came away 3-0 victors from the spot.
This was their second game that ended via kicks but the difference is that they were going to be on the wrong end of victory, this time around.
Both teams were well organised and was intent on claiming the early advantage but it was the Upper Demerara side that cantered into the lead even as Waramadong took the early attack to them.
By the 19th minute, forward Marlaque Davidson had already chalked up a double. His first came in the 12th minute; the second was a beautiful header on an assist from Shane Luckie whose lobbed ball was clinically headed past Neil Henrito in the 19th minute.
Despite being two down, the pace of the game was brisk with Waramadong enjoying better ball possession. It was no surprise when they pulled once back 23 minutes on. The tournament’s Most Valuable Player – Whazir Bascome – who ended with a whopping 19 goals, weaved his way past the defenders and into shooting zone before letting off one of his trade mark bombs that sailed into the roof of the nets past the outstretched hands of Daniel English.
The goal brought an eruption of cheers from their supporters, and the game was on. The break came with the core unchanged and the thousands on hand discussing the possibilities of what will happen in the final 45 minutes.
They {fans} hadn’t the slightest clue that it was going to go down to the wire. Linden came out all guns blazing as they sought to increase the advantage, while their opponents were keen on leveling the score in the first instance and that is exactly what they accomplished.
Fifty-three minutes on, Waramadong were rewarded with a free kick just outside the box and made no mistake when Jesse Morris’ shot settled at the back of the nets after flying past the wall and English: Waramadong 2 Wismar/Christianburg 2.
The game well and truly on now, Bascome, truly the inspiration of his team, stepped up big time yet again, putting them ahead with a another well executed free kick in the 72nd minute. With the adrenalin flowing and the advantage theirs’, Waramadong kept the pressure up but like true champions, Wismar/Christianburg never buckled.
The Lindeners missed three clear cut chances, Davidson missing two of those opportunities. It almost came back to haunt them as the time quickly went by. With two minutes of added on time shown by the fourth official, it was almost as if the game was secured by the Waramadong but the Lindeners were not down as yet.
In the 91st minute Shane Luckie came up lucky for his team, capitalizing on a rare defensive lapse by Waramadong to score the equaliser in the nick of time; a goal that changed the fortunes of Wismar/Christianburg.
From the spot, Waramadong missed their second kick while Wismar/Christianburg’s 5th kick, taken by Benny Neblette was saved by Isaacs. It ended 4-4 after the first five.
Wismar/Christianburg’s custodian English then came up with a big save on the first sudden death kick by Waramadong before his teammate Anthony Lane, with poise, calmness and assurance scored his kick which sent the their fans racing unto the field to celebrate their victory.
In the third place game, Covent Garden hammered a St. Georges 7-4. Esan Haynes netted five goals for the winners. He hit the onion skin in the 18th, 32nd, 36th, 60th and 64th minute. Kevin Agard in the 21st and Matthew Charles in the 68th were the other scorers for Covent Garden.
For St. George’s, which ended the game two players short after both were booked twice, Ozia Small converted a brace (14, 35), Adolph George was on target in the 7th and Azumah Small in the 47th.
Azumah was sent off in the 54th minute, attracting the first yellow in the 29th minute; Neil Cameron got his second booking in the 90th, his first was in the 41st.
Wismar Christianburg Secondary will receive One Million dollars compliments of Digicel to do a school project of their choice as the winner of the competition. Waramadong will receive $500,000; Covent Garden $300,000 and St. George’s $200,000 for projects of their choice.
This was disclosed by Head of Marketing, Ms. Jacquline James at the presentation of trophies and medals to the top four schools. Digicel CEO Gregory Dean congratulated the winner while also complimenting the other schools for making the 3rd edition of the DSFC, another resounding success.
The fans and area coordinators also came in for high praise by Dean who promised that the tournament will be even bigger and better in 2014.
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