In an exciting showdown at the finals of the Summersal Youth tournament, the Barbados Soccer Academy (BSA) and Haynesville were crowned Under-15 and Under-13 champions, respectively, over the weekend.
Playing at the Holder’s Hill field on Saturday, BSA downed Mavericks 3-1, while Haynesville blanked Brittons Hill 2-0.
In the Under-15 final, it was actually Mavericks who opened the scoring in the fourth minute after Roniko Harding’s perfectly placed corner kick picked out Trashaun Best who nodded into the back of the net to make it 1-0.
BSA absorbed the pressure for most of the first half but began their assault and created constant pressure on the Mavericks’ defence.
Their efforts paid off in injury time when they were awarded a penalty for a handball inside the box and Keon Estwick stepped up to calmly convert, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way and levelling the score at 1-1.
BSA started the second half with a burst of energy and dominated possession. In the 29th minute they grabbed the go ahead goal when Jamarcon Reece sped down the right side and skillfully squeezed a shot past the near post, to give BSA a 2-1 lead.
Aaron Blacks then displayed some impressive moves on the left side, evading several defenders before delivering a beautiful pass through the middle, which found Amar Gibson in the six-yard box, who confidently buried the ball in the net, to extend BSA’s lead to 3-1 in the 36th minute.
Five teams participated in the inaugural Under-15 tournament; Mavericks, BSA, Eden Stars, Soccer Youth, and Orange Hill.
In the Under-13 final, Haynesville took control of the contest from the opening kickoff creating an opportunity inside the first minute.
Another opportunity arose from the right side minutes later, but striker Jeremiah Forde narrowly missed the touch to put it into the net. Haynesville continued their offensive onslaught, with another chance in the sixth minute going abegging as Forde’s strike was high and wide.
Despite Haynesville’s overwhelming possession and attacking play, the score remained 0-0 at half-time, as Brittons Hill managed to absorb the pressure and hold their ground.
Haynesville continued to dominate play, with Forde coming close to scoring in the 40th minute with a snap right-footed shot that narrowly missed.
Finally, in the 46th minute, Haynesville broke the deadlock. Aziko Birch initiated the play from his own half, skillfully eluded three defenders and then delivered a perfect ball to Adam King, who ran onto it and with his second touch managed to squeeze the ball past Brittons Hill’s goalkeeper, Kacszier Cunningham.
In the closing minutes of the match, Birch doubled their lead to ensure they would lift the title.
Most goals and MVP of the Under-13 division was Element Walcott from Brittons Hill, while Haynesville’s Mikail Clarke was adjudged the Most Improved.
St Philip FC’s Ariah Chase was the lone female to take part in the tournament.
The teams that took part in the Under-13 competition were Eden Stars, St Philip FC, St Andrew Lions, and Haynesville FC. (CG)
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