THE semifinals of the 5th annual ExxonMobil U14 football championship saw heated action on Monday at the Ministry of Education Ground.
The ladies got things going with their first semi-final as Waramuri Primary Top locked horns with Bartica secondary.
The ladies battled hard on a slightly wet outfield with few goal opportunities on offer until Shenesa Thomas converted a chance in the 43rd minute to give Waramuri Primary Top the lead.
That lead, in sweltering conditions would determine the first spot in the final.
Waramuri will have to face Presidents College in the final after they defeated Santa Rosa Secondary by a narrow 2-1 margin.
Santa Rosa Secondary’s Veronica Chatta was the first to the back of the net in the 15th minute before Kimore Williams came to the East Coast institution’s rescue just three minutes later in the 18th with the equaliser.
Williams would complete the brace in the 30th minute, giving her side the lead and the eventual 2-1 win at the final whistle.
In the boy’s division, Lenora Secondary and Chase Academic foundation locked horns in the first semifinals with the latter coming out on top.
It was a see-saw encounter with Adrian Giddings getting Leonora onto the score sheet in the 6th minute of play.
Chases Academic Foundation found a goal scorer in Akeel Younge who drew the game level in the 21st minute.
Leonora Secondary Keon Grant got his side ahead once more in the 24th before goals from Jaden Tasher (28th) and Mark Glasgow (43rd) gave Chase the equaliser and the go-ahead goal respectively for the 3-2 win.
South Ruimveldt Secondary who have been playing well throughout the competition found a stumbling block when they faced off with Dolphin Secondary.
Dolphin Secondary’s Tyler Abrams was the difference maker with his goal in the 43rd as the game ended 1-nil to send Dolphin to the finals against Chase Academy.
The winning teams are vying for monetary prizes which will go towards school projects.
The winner of the male and female categories will collect $400,000 towards the project, with second place taking $200,000 and third place $100,000.
This year the organisers will also provide school supplies year-long for the male and female Most Valuable Players.
Last year, the Boys from Bartica and the girls from Waramuri Top won the tournament.
The finals are set for Saturday at the Ministry of Education ground.