For the second year running, Chase Academy will face their arch nemesis Wismar/Christianburg Secondary in the Digicel National Schools Football Finals, after both advanced through semi-final action yesterday.In the first game at the Leonora Track and Field Centre, Chase bludgeoned Bush Lot 10-0, with goals coming as early as the seventh minute when Nicholas McArthur’s shot on goal was only deflected into the roof of the net.

He returned in the 22 minute to complete Kelsey Benjamin’s cross in front of goal and secure his second of the night. Benjamin would score his first of the game and the third for his team after he ran onto a through-ball and tucked it gently into the right corner.
He returned to complete his brace after shaking two defenders and letting loose a thunderous shot from 25 yards out which curled into the right corner again in the 39th minute, as the side rallied to half time with a 4-0 lead.
On the return,Bryan Hackett scored twice within the space of three minutes, the first which was the completion of a successful through- ball while the second was a more prolific strike as he shifted the ball from the right side to the left side of the box along the touchline before unleashing a stunning left foot shot into the right corner (64rd).
It was all over for the Bush Lot side who were oft times over- run by the technical ability of their opponents, and while they made several raids, they often fizzled out.
Those in the crowd who thought Chase’s goal scoring onslaught was over had another thought coming however, as the side stuck four more goals in the last 10 minutes of the game. Stephon Reynolds in the 85th was followed by McArthur’s hat trick goal one minute later to push the side further, while Shomol Smith (88th), and Joshuna Williams (90+1), ended the game at 10-0.
Meanwhile, the defending champions Wismar/Christianburg Secondary, had a harder task in their romp to the finals as they played a determined Sir Leon side. It was nothing like the first game and while it was wet underfoot, goals had dried up.
The physicality of both sides made for a tense game and looked to be their downfalls as the defending champs gave away a penalty through a foul in the box. However Sir Leon’s Ravin Naughton left the woodwork rumbling with a stinging shot that rebounded off the cross bar.
The game carried on with more chances but the half ended scoreless and it would eventually take an O’Neil Sharp 53rd minute intervention to break the deadlock. A fumble in the box lead to Sharp beating the keeper which sent the crowd into Jubilation.
The Linden side, however, never lost hope and a breakaway effort from Sir Leon was met with a diving goal-keeper’s outstretched palm; and three minutes later another clear- cut attempt was foiled by the goal-keeper who came off his line to stop the attacker.
However, it was not over for Linden.With eight minutes remaining , Shaquile Campbell climbed high into the air to claim a corner and re-directed it past Sir Leon’s goalie for the equalizer
. The game was on now and in the heat of the moment and pushing for the win, Sir Leon lesson this time conceded a penalty which was carefully converted by Omar Brewley in (90+3). While Sir Leon pursued an equalizer and had a good chance which skewed wide, Linden had effectively knocked the wind out of their sails and send the defending champions through.