11/27/2009 1:49:00 PM Schools to battle for football supremacy
Manny Faria
The Bermuda School Sports Federation will be showcasing its finest football players with eight mouth-watering knock out cup finals to take place tomorrow at the National Sports Centre.
West End v Elliot
The day gets underway at 9am with reigning primary girls champions West End taking on Elliot. West End had to come from behind to defeat East End Primary in the Tuesday's semi-final. East End took the lead in the first half with a strong effort that sailed in over West End keeper Nya Heyliger's head.
Ember Butterfield equalized for West End before Heyliger did well to save to her right in the closing stages of the match to preserve the draw. West End easily won the ensuing penalty shoot out to place them in their second straight final. Elliot had no problems scoring goals as they disposed of a tough and determined West Pembroke side 4-2 in the other semi final.
Paget v Elliot
The Primary boys final will be a repeat of last years final with defending champions Paget taking on Elliot. Paget had a very successful campaign in finishing undefeated in the West Central division.
They then proved to be too much for Somerset Primary by shutting them out 3-0 in the West semi-finals.
Kamali Davis scored a brace for the champions with captain Jaavaid Warren-smith adding one from the penalty spot. Elliot had a much tougher passage to the finals as it took a last minute winner from Jarred Douglas break a 2-2 deadlock with Harrington Sound. Elliot seemed to be coasting to the final after a Krishun Henry brace sent them into the break with a 2-0 lead. Harrington Sound came out and fought their way back into the match behind two goals from Davon Cheeseman.
Just when it seemed like the match would be heading to extra time Douglas beat the offside trap from a fine through ball and slotted the ball home giving his team the victory and a chance to avenge last year's loss.
Sandys v Clearwater
The east and the west will collide in the Middle School Girls Final when Sandys tackle Clearwater. Sandys needed a hat trick from Coyshea Fox to overcome a tough Warwick Academy side 3-2. Esaiah Lister gave Warwick an early lead before Fox equalized with help from a Jasmine Simmons assist.
Lister gave Warwick the lead again just before the end of the half. Simmons assisted Fox twice more in the second half to give Sandys the right to face six-a-side champions Clearwater at noon on Saturday. Clearwater earned their place in the final with a 6-2 thrashing over perennial powerhouse Whitney Institute.
Dellwood v Warwick
Dellwood takes on undefeated Warwick Academy in the Under 13 final at 1:30pm. Warwick sent a message to the rest of the field by demolishing Whitney Institute 5-1 in the first semi-final. It only took eight minutes for Warwick to find the back of the net thanks to a 25 yard blast from Delray Rawlins. Micah Perozzi gave Warwick a two goal lead before Whitney pulled one back towards the end of the half. Warwick scored three unanswered goals in the second half through Perozzi, Raushon Tankard and substitute Arriek Douglas. 2008 finalist Dellwood also won with a strong showing when they dispatched Saltus 3-1. Saltus took an early lead in the match but Dellwood came storming back and equalized through Mikel Thomas. Oneko Lowe closed out the half by giving Dellwood the 2-1 lead. Xyon Smith put the game out of Saltus reach in the second half.
Saltus v CedarBridge
Saltus will have their hands full in trying to retain their Under-16 title when a confident and determined CedarBridge team challenge them at 3pm. Mark Godfrey gave Saltus the lead in the tenth minute in their 3-1 semi final win over Berkeley.
Fabio Pacheco scored a tap in to give his team a two goal lead following a fine cross from Tyler Nelmes who unfortunately broke his wrist during the play. Berkeley pulled a goal back in the final ten minutes setting up a tense ending to the match.
Daeshun Greene capitalized on a fine breakaway goal in the last minute to seal his team's victory. CedarBridge Red made it into the finals after mauling a weaker Warwick Academy team 7-0.
Whitney v Sandys
Yet another team looks to keep their title when Whitney Institute face Sandys in the over-13 final in a battle of undefeated teams at 4:30pm.
East zone champions Whitney scored three unanswered goals in Wednesday's semi final to defeat Saltus 4-1. Whitney got a brace from Jakeem Hunt and solo strikes from Jah Kaya Stewart and Machai Battersbee. West Zone champions were 4-2 victors over Warwick Academy. Justin Donawa scored two for Sandys along with Stafari Burrows, and Jahnoi Bean-Wilson.
Berkeley v Warwick
The Senior School Girls final will have this years two most consistent teams, Berkeley Institute and Warwick Academy, square off at 6pm. Berkeley earned their place in the final with a 3-0 victory over BHS. A splendid hat trick off the boot of Dominique Richardson cancelled out a solo effort from BHS' Connie Campbell. Warwick edge Saltus 3-1 in the other semi final.
CedarBridge v Berkeley
Tomorrow's finale will showcase Bermuda's two largest schools when CedarBridge Blue take on defending champions The Berkeley Institute in the over-16 final at 7:30pm. Both teams are eager to claim the title of BSSF senior boys champions.
CedarBridge defeated this years The Bermuda Institute 3-0 on penalties after the match ended in a 3-3 tie. Bermuda Institute was this year's surprise package in senior school football.
They caught everyone's attention by winning the six-a-side tournament and it came as no real surprise when they defeated league champions Saltus 4-1 in the quarter-finals. Their Cinderella run ended however with a disappointing shoot out loss.
CedarBridge took the lead with a well-constructed run of play which allowed Tre Govia to place his shot in the far corner. Then only moments later Bermuda Institute equalized through Marco Warren with a wonderful free kick from just outside the area. Warren gave his team the lead with an identical effort just before the half.
CedarBridge then were able to pull a goal back with Jaylon Bather converting a well-taken cross to level the scores. Bermuda Institute then moments later replied with a 30 yard shot which left the goalkeeper off his line and stunned. Just as it seemed Bermuda Institute will make their first senior school final they were devastated when the referee made no hesitation by pointing to the spot after a CedarBridge played was fouled in the box. CedarBridge breathed a huge sigh of relief after the spot kick was converted. They held their nerve and went on the win 3-0 in the shoot out.
Berkeley did well to prevent an all CedarBridge final after they defeated CedarBridge Red 2-1 in the other semi final.
Manny Faria is the administrator for the Bermuda School Sports Federation.
