Scarborough RC girls reign
Arima Boys’ Government Primary School, in its first ever trip to the finals of the Atlantic National Primary Schools’ Football League, dethroned the defending champs to reign as the best in the land.
Bon Accord Government had won the Boys Under 15 division the previous year and were firm favourites in yesterday’s final but the Arima boys had other plans.
Their encounter was the first in an exciting triple-header of title matches at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, watched by His Excellency President Anthony Thomas Aquinas Carmona.
The St George East educational district champions matched their opponents and should have been rewarded early but Ability Hazel and Addae Paponette’s attempts were thwarted by the Bon Accord custodian Dajean Moses.
However, in the second session Hazel struck for Arima Boys’ Government and his shot proved to be the winning one in a fiercely contested contest. Addae Paponette was named as The Most Valuable Player of the Games.
In the day’s second game for the Under 15 Girls’ title, Tobago champions Scarborough RC got the better of St Agnes Anglican.
The Tobagonians went ahead in the 15th minute when Kaleah Duke netted to put her team into a 1-0 lead at the interval. However, on the resumption the pint-sized Mariah Williams struck and equalised for the St James-based St Agnes squad.
With action from goal to goal, J’eleiasha Alexander blasted past Liya John in the St Agnes citadel to give Scarborough RC their first lien on the Atlantic championship trophy.
J’eleiasha Alexander was named as The Most Valuable Player.
The day’s activities were wrapped up with a showdown between, La Pastora Government and Eastern Boys Government who could not be separated at the interval.
In the second session La Pastora’s goalkeeper Stephon Langaigne was forced to pull off many saves before team-mate Jadiel Joseph eased the pressure on his goalkeeper, scoring a double within an eight minute span.
Just two minutes after young Joseph netted his second, referee Inskip Carrington sounded the whistle to make La Pastora Government the 2017 Atlantic Under 12 Champions.
FINALS RESULTS
Under 15 Boys
Bon Accord Gov’t 0-1 Arima Boys Gov’t
Under 15 Girls
Scarborough RC 2-1 St Agnes
Under 12 Boys
La Pastora Gov’t 2-0 Eastern Boys Gov’t
RELATED NEWS
La Pastora, Scarborough, Arima claim Atlantic titles.
By Jelani Beckles (T&T Newsday)
La Pastora Government, Scarborough RC Girls and Arima Boys’ Government all won titles when the Atlantic National Primary Schools Football League Finals were held at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Mucurapo, yesterday.
La Pastora won the boys Under-12 title, Scarborough claimed the girls Under-15 title and Arima Boys’ copped the boys Under-15 crown.
La Pastora gave their huge contingent of supporters something to cheer about with a 2-0 win over Eastern Boys’ Government in the boys Under-12 final. The La Pastora players could not ask for more support as their fans continuously shouted, “La Pastora we want a goal, La Pastora we want a goal.” La Pastora and Eastern Boys could not find the back of the net as the first half ended 0-0.
Despite the support for La Pastora, Eastern Boys started the second half the stronger team and created numerous chances. One attempt by Eastern Boys struck the crossbar, while the La Pastora goalkeeper kept the match goalless with two brilliant saves.
The goalkeeper’s heroics seemed to inspire La Pastora as they took the lead through Jadiel Joseph. Joseph, who also won the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award, grabbed his second when he easily slotted home a cross from the right side to seal the win.
In the Under-15 girls final, Scarborough RC made their trip from Tobago count with a 2-1 victory over St Agnes AC Girls. Kaleah Duke and J’Eleisha Alexander scored for Scarborough, while Mariah Williams got on the score sheet for St Agnes. After Scarborough took a 1-0 lead at the half, St Agnes equalised with a low shot 10 metres from goal. St Agnes could not hold on to the lead for long, as Scarborough scored the winner immediately after the equaliser by St Agnes. Alexander won the MVP award.
Arima edged Bon Accord Government 1-0 in the first final of the day.
Ability Hazel found the winner, while Addae Paponette of Arima earned the MVP award. President Anthony Carmona attended the finals and took photos with the teams at the prize-giving ceremony.