St George’s repeat as G/town Zone champions
… National quarter-finals on today

DEFENDING champions St George’s Secondary School made it back-to-back titles after prevailing 4-2 in a penalty shootout against Chase Academy when the two teams met in the Georgetown Zone final of the Digicel Schools Football Competition on Sunday, at the Camp Ayanganna ground.After the two teams played to a nil-all stalemate in regulation time, it was down to the shooters and goalkeepers to produce their best for a place in the national quarter-finals and it was St George’s marksmen and goalkeeper Royston Dublin who stepped up to the task to send them to the next phase.
The highly anticipated matchup failed to live up to expectations as both teams struggled to create solid chances, while the limited opportunities ended with errant shooting being the order of the day.
Chase Academy sporting a few players who represented other schools in the previous edition looked the more organised and had the better of the exchanges throughout, but the indomitable Quincy Andrews in central defence for St George’s proved once again to be the most difficult personnel to get past, as he effected some timely tackles and interceptions to keep the game even.
The nippy Keri Codrington was also in good form, marshalling the wing back position with composure and skill that certainly belied his age, while Orin Moore Jr was also a tower of strength in attack and defence.
The usually prolific Shemar Barrow was held at bay all afternoon and seemed frustrated by the time the penalty shootout came around.
In the end it was the team that held its nerves that subsequently prevailed.
With the win St George’s walked away with $100 000, the winning trophy and medals, while Chase Academy took home the runner-up medals and will have to wait another year to seek revenge.
Present at yesterday’s game was Coordinator of the Tournament Lavern Fraser, who made the presentation to the teams following the conclusion of the match.
St. George’s now set up an exciting clash against Region 4 champs Beterverwagting Secondary today at the same venue, starting at 15:30hrs.
In the other quarterfinal, last year’s beaten finalists Waramadong will face Region 3 champs Leonora Secondary, defending champions Christianburg/Wismar Secondary will square off against Region 6 champs Vryman’s Erven at Wisburg ground in Linden, and Annai will tackle Region 5 champs Bush Lot Secondary at Burnham Park in New Amsterdam.