Defending champions Christianburg/Wismar advance on penalties

“Five! Five! Five Five! Five!” those were the chants of the Christianburg/Wismar Secondary School as they moved on to the quarter-finals of the Digicel Schools Football Championships yesterday and on course for their fifth title.Playing North West Secondary School at the Mabaruma Settlement ground, the touring Linden and four-time defending champions continued on their mission.

From the opening minute, the Linden side looked the better of the two, utilising the compacting style of their midfield and sending balls over their opponents’ defence.
They seemed the more likely to score after testing the goalkeeper on several occasions with one shot flying wide of the crossbar.
However, the half ended scoreless.
On the return, the Linden side had their most clear-cut chances after Brian Johnson wasted his one-on-one chance with the keeper. The over 700 persons gathered on the day held their breath as the NWSS keeper collected Johnson’s finessed shot at the left corner.
There were several other chances in the second half including a set piece from the corner which the goalkeeper managed to push out but it had to come down to penalties to determine the team who would move forward.
Kicking first, the Linden side opened the scoring to which their opponents responded. The NWSS keeper blocked the second and then returned to score his team’s second to send them ahead with success continuing for both sides up until Christianburg’s fourth shot which was also blocked.
Heading to sudden-death penalties, both teams scored before nerves got the better of NWSS’ Zendon Solomon who skied his spot kick, sending the defending champions into the next round.
The Linden side now face Tutorial Academy of Berbice on Sunday.
Meanwhile, in other matches yesterday Vergenoegen were beaten by Annai 3-0 at Leonora, Mahdia at home beat Bush Lot 4-3 on penalties in Mahdia, DC Caesar Fox beat Charity 1-0 at Mainstay.