THE 2nd annual Patrick April U-17 football competition for schools in the New Amsterdam/Canje district kicked off yesterday at the Scott’s School ground in New Amsterdam where the Vryman’s Erven Secondary School (VESS) edged a spirited Canje Secondary School (CSS) 2-1 in damp conditions.

The sixty-minute encounter heated up when Kevin Dey of CSS drew first blood for his team in the 35th minute but it did not take long before the VESS outfit retaliated with a fierce goal from the boot of Jason Hikel in the 47th minute;

Kevon Williams then netted in the 50th minute as the VESS lads kept their opponents at bay by keeping possession of the ball until the final whistle blew and sent CSS crashing out of the knockout tourney.

The competition is organised by the Hearts of Oak Masters Football Club in memory of their late compatriot Patrick ‘Patto’ April who was a well-known footballer and rural constable in the Berbice.

The tournament continues today with the New Amsterdam Secondary School taking on Tutorial Academy Secondary School at 15:30hrs at the same venue.

The tournament is being used as preparation for the countrywide Digicel Schools’ football tournament which kicks off in Linden on June 16.

(Michael Khan)