Chase Academy, North Ruimveldt Multilateral, St. John’s College and Buxton Youth Developers are the four teams through to the semi-finals of the ExxonMobil Boys and Girls Under-14 Secondary Schools football tournament.
This was decided after quarter-final action on Saturday at the Ministry of the Education ground, Carifesta Avenue.
An early morning downpour and subsequent soggy conditions did not deter parents and players from either cheering to their loudest or putting on their best show on the field since they knew it was crunch time.
Chase Academy, who did not have the best of starts in the tournament, rebounded impressively and are now one of the favourites to cop the top prize.
They seemed more adept at playing in the unfavourable conditions and hammered Vergenogen Secondary 5-3, led by Sean Cato with a double (53rd and 62nd), Brandon Solomon (33rd) , Jaheel Alcindor (44th) and Kevin Mullin (60th).
Opposing goals came from Timothy Dugin (1st), Clinton Jones (50th), Nashawn Livan (51st).
On the other hand, ‘Multi’ edged arch-rivals Tucville 2-1 in an intense clash. They took the lead in the 23rd minute via Yannick Norton, but Odoyo Harris levelled the scores seven minutes later. A bounty of shots was traded on both sides of the goal until Orlando Sickie broke the deadlock in the 46th.
St. John’s resisted some early pressure to triumph 2-0 over a usually organised Marian Academy; strikes from Dequan Bovell (3rd) and Shem Jovis (35th) made the difference.
Buxton Youth Developers, who continue to look a step above all their opponents, thumped Dolphin Secondary 6-1 as playmaker Tyrice Dennis netted a hat-trick (12th, 18th and 40th) and got valuable support from Olashi Primo (23rd), Samuel Garnett (31st) and Akeem Gaime (48th). Jaquan Cole (45th) scored for the opposition.
In the Girls’ matches, Latesha Sutherland goal in the 44th made the difference when South Ruimveldt got the better of Dolphin 3-2. Sutherland had earlier opened the scores in the 10th followed by teammate Amanda Mckenzie nine minutes after, but Dolphin hit back in the second half with Kezia Parkinson (30th) and Niomi Williams (35th) bring scores level briefly.
Alicia Maynard struck the lone and winning goal for New Campbellville against Tucville, while Gilana King (28th) and Tamara Mendonca (35th) eased East Ruimveldt to victory over Vergenogen.
The biggest margin for victory came when Charlestown Secondary shot home four unanswered goals against Uitvlugt Secondary. Tynesha Thorne (10th), Donna Lowe (19th), Annera Alim (24th) and Akilah Koster (39th) were the scorers.
Matches in both categories will continue on Saturday (June 14) at the aforementioned venue.
