FORWARD Marmaleque Davidson ensured that his team Christianburg Wismar Secondary (CWS) ‘Multi’ won eventually by a 1-0 score-line against New Silvercity Secondary, which was enough to crown them the 2013 Edward ‘Screw’ Richmond Memorial Linden Schools’ Under-19 football champions for the first time in its five-year history last Thursday afternoon at the Wisburg Secondary School ground.

Playing in the final for the second straight year the ‘Multi’ boys did not choke as they did last year at the Mackenzie Sports Club ground, after meeting the Linden Technical Institute (LTI) in that final before losing 2-1; but showed their maturity after a shaky start against first-time finalists New Silvercity Secondary.
However, despite earlier blemishes against a New Silvercity Secondary side who looked capable of taking this year’s championship, as they were led by right winger Akeem ‘Messi’ Aaron, who looked dangerous with Shaquille Alexander up front as they made constant forays..
Their attacks on most occasions began from the right wing along with his captain Orlando Thurmond and Julian Smith coming through the middle along with David Headley, Oswald West and Mark McLean at centre back while goalkeeper Martin Leacock was keeping things intact as their coach Dwaylon Farrel, later named coach-of-the-tournament, seemingly had them in the right frame of mind.
On the other hand, the ‘Multi’ side definitely relished the occasion knowing that this was their chance with a number of their players unlikely to be there next year, and most of them, in losing last year, were still confident that this was their best chance of winning.
Interestingly, in the group stage of the tournament both teams played to a 1-1 draw and fittingly they were contesting the final. But the ‘Multi’ boys were starting as favourites even though they had to overcome some measure of being too confident and it showed.
Their coach Antony Stephens (Jr) however was not going to let this chance slip as he constantly beckoned from the sideline to his players to stay focused. They quickly grouped themselves and, playing some attacking football, they evened things through their leading striker Davidson, who was later named the Most Valuable Player and also copped the top scorer’s award and the best striker prize.
While he led from the front, his midfield colleagues held their own comprising the likes of Leon Hohenkirk and Anthony Layne with the back four of the imposing Travin Dryden known as ‘Babylon’ who was playing ahead of centre back Benny Neblett. Before him were wing backs Romain Adams and Jamal Almond who spread the ball for Davidson at times. In their citadel was goalkeeper Yannick Simon who also was having a good game for the Multi side.
In this first half the new Silvercity Secondary had their best chance when Oneil Gentle’s shot cannoned on to the crossbar before going out dangerously. They were taking the fight to their opponents and looked in with a chance. But the Christianburg Secondary side held their own and held on to a 0-0 stalemate at the end of the first half.
Even though the first half was a bit slow, the tempo stepped up in the second where both sides played with a lot more zest especially going forward and they defended stoutly at times.
Chairman of the Edward ‘Screw’ Richmond Foundation based in the United States, Ernest Joseph, presented the championship trophy and replicas to the winning Christianburg/Wismar Secondary team while the second- and third-place finishers also received trophies and replicas as well as the individuals.