Defending champions through to final after 2-1 penalty kicks over Bush Lot Secondary

TEARS of joy and sorrow flooded Burnham Park in New Amsterdam Berbice yesterday when Christiansburg/Wismar Secondary, more popularly known as ‘Multi’, defeated Bush Lot Secondary 2-1 on penalty kicks in the semifinals of the 2014 Digicel Schools Football Championship. 

The Lindeners are the defending champions and have held on to the trophy for two consecutive years. It was clear the Berbicians were bent on ensuring that this year a new winner is crowned but Multi thought otherwise.
With a highly vociferous supporting cast on the sideline, Bush Lot Secondary came out being the more aggressive on the pitch while the Lindeners were their usual tactical selves.
Referee Dwayne Johnson seemed to have an agenda of his own since most of his calls were visibly slanted in favour of the school from West Coast, Berbice.
It was Johnson’s invisible foul call against Multi that resulted in a free kick being awarded to Bush Lot Secondary, just on the edge of the 18-yard box that saw the opening goal being scored in the 23rd minute.
Marlon Nicholson stepped up to take the kick and struck a beautiful right-footer that curled over the defending champions’ wall and went sailing into the back of the net after beating the keeper.
The intensity of the game immediately rose and with the Berbice crowd in jubilation after the opening goal which was in their favour, Bush Lot Secondary played with a bit more purpose, but Multi, like true champs, withstood the pressure.
Dequan Hercules could have equalised for his team, but his wonderfully taken free kick was saved by the Bush Lot keeper.
The first half ended with Bush Lot Secondary enjoying a 1-0 lead thanks to Nicholson, but in the second stanza of the game, it was all Multi.
Shane Luckie, one of the stars of the Digicel Schools Football Championship from its inception, proved his worth and was a thorn in the feet of the Bush Lot defenders who certainly had no answers for him.
The lanky Linden striker tried everything in his power to carry his school to the final and played a part in the equalising goal which came off the boot of Anthony Layne in the 73rd minute. Layne blasted home a right-foot volley after the Bush Lot keeper had to clear a Luckie attempt.
It was Multi who kept possession of the ball for the remainder of the game, despite the referee’s whistle still not being blown in their favour and at the end of regular time, the two schools were still deadlocked on a goal each.
In the penalty shootout, Bush Lot Secondary was first up to kick and their attempt was sent crashing into the crossbar.
Luckie scored his kick to put Christianburg/Wismar in the lead then Bush Lot missed again the target.
Hercules failed to put the game away for Linden, as his shot went over the crossbar, opening up the game for Bush Lot who scored next.
The scores remained at 2-1 and Multi would clash with Waramadong in the final which is set for Sunday August 3 at the Guyana National Stadium.

(By Rawle Toney )