In the 2007 RBTT Intercol competition, one thing is for certain. There will be a new champion crowned at the end, as defending champs San Juan were spectacularly dumped out of the competition by El Dorado Senior Comprehensive. Jamaal Gay put in a heroic display to engineer yet another major upset in the 2007 RBTT Intercol competition.
The game started off at a breath taking pace, and San Juan should have had the early lead off of a corner, but Jamaal Spencer missed a simple tap in with the goal at his mercy.
Against the run of play Jamaal Gay latched onto a long clearance out of the ‘El Do’ half and beat past the San Juan right back, played an exquisite pass into the path of the oncoming Gerrard John Williams who showed San Juan how to finish by side footing the ball into the top right hand corner of the goal.
San Juan had a golden opportunity to equalize when they were awarded a penalty, but inexplicably Kareem Girod hit the resulting spot kick hard and wide of the left post.
El Dorado made San Jan pay dearly for the goal when Jamaal Gay volleyed a headed clearance into the bottom left hand corner of the San Juan goal, giving Glenroy Samuel no chance.
San Juan pushed forward looking for the goal to bring them back into the match, and they nearly got it as Neil Mitchell was played through, but could not beat the advancing Hakeem Blake in the El Dorado goal who spread himself well to close down the angle. At the half the score remained 2-0 in favor of El Dorado. The champions were staring elimination in the face.
San Juan started the second half on the offensive, looking for the early goal. Again the opportunities were created, but their finishing let them down.
El Dorado would eventually put the game on ice when Jamal Gay again went on one of his dizzying runs and carved his way into the San Juan midfield. With the defense closing in on him, Gay played an immaculate pass to an unmarked Keon Issac who faked goalkeeper Samuel and slotted home to ball to make it 3-0 and send the ‘El Do’ faithful into a frenzy.
Credit must be given to San Juan who still pushed forward, and should have at least got a consolation goal when Akil James lobbed goalkeeper Hakeem Blake, but was denied by the left post.
The final whistle soon sounded and the 2006 National Intercol Champions were out. There would be no sweep of trophies for Coach Keith Jeffery. El Dorado deserved the victory, and will face the defending East Zone Intercol Champions St. Augustine in the final on Saturday.
17