`Screw’ Richmond  U-18  trophy
AGAINST the odds of losing twice to their opponents in the preliminary rounds of the championship, dependable centre forward Gary King Gomes netted the lone and  deciding goal of the final for Wisburg Secondary, who turned the tables on Christianburg Wismar Secondary for a 1-0 victory to secure the prestigious 2nd annual Edward ‘Screw’ Richmond Memorial Linden Under 18 Schools football championship  last Friday evening at the Mackenzie Sports Club ground.
However, the win should not come as a real surprise to followers of the tournament when one considers the kind of form which was displayed by both sides at the semifinal stages of this tournament, which was sponsored by the Edward ‘Screw’ Richmond Foundatiion which is based in New York .
Wisburg Secondary School on one hand had upped their play in their ‘home and away’ semifinals to oust the defending champions Mackenzie High School.  The results were a devastating 7-2 aggregate in favour of Wisburg Secondary after they dominated the first semifinal game by a 6-2 score and coasted in the second by a 1-0 score.
Conversely, Christianburg Wismar Secondary came off a 2-2 first semifinal then edged home 1-0 in the second to set up the final against Wisburg Secondary.
However, the fact that Christianburg Wismar Secondary had beaten their opponents Wisburg Secondary twice before in double round preliminary round of play in this tournament, meant much perhaps for them going into this final.
But, Wisbuirg Secondary had shown tremendous form, against their opponents after reaching the last four and seemingly peaked at the right time.
They were the more aggressive in this final and while neither side could have registerd any goals during the first half, this was testimony to the fierce battle which was at hand on a heavy outfield.
Striker Gary King Gomes was their target man once more, having scored a double in the first semifinal to put the game beyond Mackenzie High School  in the 6-2 rout.
And King Gomes continued his relentless offensive strides against the Christianburg Wismar Secondary goal. He was there eventually when left winger Michael Wilson sent a cross to him moving into position inside right, where he collected and banged the ball away from Christianburg Wismar Secondary’s goalkeeper Pelham Cadogan, who was caught flatfooted guarding his near post, to score vital goal in the 50th minute.
It proved to be the only goal of the final even though there were quite a few on either side of play with the new champions slightly looking the better side.
In the third place playoff game Mackenzie High School took third position when they beat Linden Foundation Secondary 1-0 with the goal coming in overtime play.
At the end of the final the presentation was made by United States-based former national player Lawrence ‘Bradar’ Griffith of the Edward ‘Screw’ Richmond Memorial Trophy to coach of the winning Wisburg Secondary School team Bevon McCalmont.
Wisburg’s Secondary’s midfield player Shawn Allicock who played sound and intelligent football marshalling his team’s chemistry, was the recipient of the Most Valuable Player Trophy which was named after one of Linden’s best young footballers the late former youth national schemer Malcom ‘Mali’ Cummings and the Memorial Trophy was donated by Cummings’ family and and presented by Ernest Joseph, president of the Edward ‘Screw’ Richmond Foundation.
As Wisburg Secondary swept the awards ceremony their midfield Michael Wilson was adjudged the Best Midfield Player and Kelvin Spencer who was voted the Best Defence Player Award, while petite goalkeeper also of Wisburg, Leonard Wilson received the Best Goalkeeper award.
Joseph, before the start of the tournament’s final had expressed thanks to all who made the tournament possible and thanked them for their support.
In his brief remarks Joseph commented that the final had to be postponed from Thursday to Friday and noted “but you know, every adversity sows with it a seed in the equivalent benefit. And today, the benefit will be who ever would win this trophy.
I bring you greetings from New York and the members who are here, Compton ‘Cha Cha London, Richard Thompson and Sammy ‘Bradar’ Griffith among others from the Screw Richmiond Foundation.”
He added “we are committed to this foundation. We are going to be working very hard in the coming years to make this foundation and this tournament the biggest and best you have ever seen”.