SHANICE MAYNARD scored the only goal, as Longdonville Government Primary School yesterday won the Atlantic National Primary School Big 16 eight-a-side final with a comfortable 1-0 win over Tobago Light & Life Primary School at the Dwight Yorke stadium, Bacolet, Tobago.
The Tobago girls, one of three Tobago teams in two finals played yesterday, began as overwhelming favourites among the big turnout at the stadium, which included some 10 or so Tobago primary schools. But with national women's footballer Ahkeela Mollon among their coaching staff, it was the Trinidad team and their star Shneice Maynard in particular, who dominated the match.
Maynard had three tries in the first five minutes, including the winning goal when she put a low shot past Light & Life Shevon Persaud, the best primary school keeper in Tobago.
Longdenville's Maynard was the big player on the day, accounting for all six attempts at the Tobago goal. She took charge, even robbing her own players and heading to goal once the ball came within her area of expertise up front .
Light & Life struggled to get their attack going. Obviously, Akeila Duncan was their version of Maynard. But she was isolated and managed just two shots against the Longdenville defenders who hunted as a pack wherever the ball went. Trailing by a goal after the first half, there seemed little chance that the Tobago girls would equalise, except maybe by an act of God.
Bon Accord, Longdenville win Atlantic football titles
By STEPHON NICHOLAS (Newsday).
BON ACCORD Government and Longdenville Government were crowned Boys and Girls Champions of the Atlantic National Primary Schools Football League yesterday after two nail-biting finals at the Dwight Yorke Stadium, Tobago.
With three out of the four competing schools hailing from the sister isle, over 600 spectators turned up for the final complete with banners and cheerleaders to create an exciting atmosphere.
Bon Accord, unbeaten for the season leading up to the final, maintained their flawless streak with a pulsating 2-1 extra time victory over Whim Anglican courtesy two brilliant goals from Jabarry Francis.
The midfielder, in a sign of things to come, tested Whim goalkeeper, Joshua James in the very first minute with a rasping drive that was parried wide.
Soon after, Whim’s Daveon Shanchie broke free from midfield and should have found the opening goal but skied his effort under pressure from the onrushing goalie K’Juan John. Whim’s midfielders began controlling proceedings with Shachie and Omarley James guilty of wasting clear-cut chances as the half ended goalless.
The second half started as it ended with Whim bossing Bon Accord and it came as no surprise when Keston Rodney was chopped down in the Bon Accord penalty box to concede the spot kick. Up stepped Omarley whose effort was excellently saved by John low to his left.
The save seemed to spur Francis into his life as he looked to turn the tide by himself. Picking up the ball inside his half in the 44th minute, the Bon Accord star dribbled through a sea of blue before slotting the ball calmly through the goalie’s legs to make it 1-0. Whim didn’t take too long to respond, Gerreb Louis firing in a free-kick spectacularly into the top right-hand corner from 28 yards out to knot the scores in the 51st as regulation ended 1-1.
Omarley had two glorious opportunities to score the go-ahead goal but could not find the back of the net. Francis was proving difficult to contain as well, and after calling the Whim goalkeeper into action with two vicious strikes, unsurprisingly found the winner. With the ball loose in the area, the left-footer pushed the ball onto his favoured foot and let loose past the Whim goalkeeper to send his supporters wild with delight.
Earlier, Longdenville Government spoilt the all-Tobago party with a 1-0 win versus Pentecostal Light and Life and ensured the twin-islands split the trophies. Shanice Maynard scored the winner, firing a shot through two defenders in the seventh minute for the early lead. Both teams struggled to contain possession with their contrasting styles of play. The Pentecostal girls were much bigger and faster than their opponents while the Trinidad team countered with their superior individual technique.
Maynard proved a thorn in the side of the Tobago defence with several mazy runs but could not add to her tally. The home team had a chance to level the score in the second half but a free-kick from Jayan Campbell could not find the target. With the final whistle sounding, several members of the Longdenville team who played for their cricket team in the Atlantic final earlier this year were overcome with emotion as they erased that disappointment.
Minister of Sport, Anil Roberts, was present and commended the principals, teachers, parents and coaches for investing in the students. Toni Sirju-Ramnarine, Atlantic’s Head of Sustainability and Corporate Communica-tions, was also there and congratulated the winners. She noted that her company is committed to investing in young people and is keen to see how both champions fare in next year’s event.