-Dolphin takes third
LODGE Secondary School’s Jamal Scott marshalled his side’s defence well last night at the Ministry of Education ground, enabling them to maintain their one goal advantage scored by Ryan Hackett, thus guaranteeing them the championship trophy when the curtains came down on this year’s Milo/Petra Organisation Under-20 Football tournament.This was after Dequan Matthews got a brace for Dolphin Secondary School on either side of the lemon time whistle, earning them the second runner-up spot with a 2-0 victory over a game but hapless looking Christ Church lineup.
A very large and appreciative crowd thronged the venue to witness the marquee matchup in the final between two of Georgetown’s best schools in the game and judging from the words of confidence being exuded from both coaches, it was left to the players who took the field to execute the task assigned to them.
St. George’s had the clear cut opportunity to take the lead within the first five minutes of play, but one of their marksmen throughout the tournament in Roddy McGloggan failed to beat Lodge’s custodian in Hakeem Roach, when presented with the opportunity.
In fact, McGloggan had the chance to do so twice after beating Lodge’s half side trap that was set, but on both occasions Roach was equal to the task while at the other end of the field, St. George’s custodian Royston Dublin was called upon to make a save from a Jarred Grannum’s shot.
As the nerves settled and the players began showcasing their talent to the appreciative crowd, it was Lodge who broke the deadlock courtesy of Hackett’s goal that was scored in the 36th minute, much to the delight of his teammates and supporters on and off the field.
As was customary, Scott made another one of his numerous runs deep into St. George’s third and drew Dublin off his line, before sending a gem of a pass to an unmarked Hackett, who swiveled on his left foot and let loose the ripper with his right, finding the back of an unprotected goal.
Try as they may before the whistle sounded to end the first half, St. George’s could not snare the equaliser as Scott, Grannum and Roach worked tirelessly to maintain their team’s lead.
Early in the second half, Jermaine Scott had the distinct advantage of snaring the equaliser but his shot to an open goal struck the far post with Roach stranded on the first and a mere 10 minutes after, he (Scott) missed an open goal from a rebound, after Adolph George’s shot hit the far post.
From there onwards, it was all defence by Lodge who found it difficult to contain the cries of joy, when the final whistle sounded, as they knew they had created an upset, while claiming the championship trophy, after being given the marching orders at the 16th stage in last year’s tournament.
Scott was later named the Most Valuable Player (MVP), his coach Leon Bishop adjudged Best Coach, Marlon Nedd (Most Goals), Queenstown (Most Discipline Team) and Royston Dublin (Best Goalkeeper), for which they all received trophies.
For their efforts, Lodge did not take home the championship trophy alone, but $500,000 towards a project within the school and 24 medallions, while St. George’s received a trophy, the same number of medallions and $200,000 towards a school project.
By Calvin Roberts