Ten-man Malick Senior Secondary Comprehensive survived a big scare, edging Fatima College 3-1 in a penalty shootout at the Hasely Crawford stadium yesterday to book a spot in the RBTT North Zone InterCol final.
Keejay Ramdoo got things started for Fatima, scorching the left upright in the tenth minute and national youth player Chad De Freitas' effort from the rebound was forced wide. The resulting corner kick brought Fatima the opening goal, as it was directed in by Ryan Augustus.
Malick striker Akeem "Crouch" Bailey was unable to find the equaliser soon after, missing passes to the far post from both Hollan Joseph and his skipper Robert Primus.
The highlight of Fatima's game lay in their crisp, incisive passing, but as they reflect on the match, coach Errol McFarlane's charges would realise the value of missing one chance too many. Fatima did more of the attacking, but the interval met them still with a 1-0 lead. Even worse, they failed to take advantage when Malick were reduced to ten men, Joseph being sent off in the 39th for a wild tackle on Ethan Gordon.
In the second period, desperate defending by Malick kept their opponents at bay. De Freitas was denied from close range and later on missed a sitter in the penalty area. Goalie Baird made one of three potentially dangerous fumbles in the 67th, but no Fatima player was near enough to punish him.
Malick's lifeline came in the 76th when Kaydian Gabriel slipped pass his marker Quenten Williams and the defender took him down in the area. Jamaal Reyes converted past Fatima custodian Christopher Coker and the score remained 1-1 at the end of regulation time.
The teams were inseparable at the end of 20 minutes of extra time, although Fatima skipper Sheldon Bateau missed an audacious attempt at lobbing Baird from beyond half-line by inches and substitute Kern Robinson hit the far post. At the end, Malick's Brandon Victor was also unable to break the deadlock, thwarted by Coker.
Keeper Baird then became Malick's hero, stepping up to save two of three missed Fatima penalties, Stephen Knox sending the other wide. In contrast, Malick were on target with three of four tries and their reward is a place in the North Zone final. In the second match at the HC Stadium, St Mary's beat Mucurapo 3-2.
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