Latest update November 21st, 2024 1:00 AM
Chubby Under-14 Tournament…Beacon beat Fruta Conquerors on penalty kicks to make it 2 in a row
By Franklin Wilson
Beacon Football Club (BFC), led by Best Goalie of the tournament Devon Charles, has once again underlined their class at the junior level by lifting the Chubby under-14 championship with victory over Fruta Conquerors via penalty kicks in the final at the Tucville ground yesterday.
Fruta Conquerors goalkeeper Dennis Edwards in acrobatic mode as he chucks the ball over the bar in another scoring attempt by Beacon in yesterday’s Chubby final at the Tucville ground. (Kaieteur News/ Franklin Wilson Photo)
In a fitting finale to what was another exciting and competitive tournament, Beacon, under the guidance of Guyana’s most successful junior coach, Former National Captain Gordon ‘Ultimate Warrior’ Braithwaite, proved their all-round ability after staving off a spirited offensive attack from the Fruta team in the final 15 minutes of the encounter to claim their triumph.
Thomas United, another of the promising junior teams, took the third place with a 2-0 win over Georgetown Football Club.
Conquerors captain and forward Pernell Schultz, who took the Most Valuable Player of the tournament and the highest goal scorer (6) trophies, exhibited his qualities yet again in bringing his side back into the game along with 8 year-old strike partner Ryan ‘Bum Bum’ Hackett.
Conquerors had taken the lead after 19 minutes of the 70 minute encounter when Schultz tucked in the first of his double. They say that size these days does not matter and Conquerors, the smaller of the two teams, sure proved that yesterday.
On the day, both sides exhibited the fight and zeal to win as they went after each other with their supporters, who lined both sides of the field shouting vociferously, as the action swayed from end to end.
After Shultz’s goal gave Conquerors the lead, Beacon first nullified the advantage 8 minutes later with a Keson Dey 27th minute strike. Six minutes later, Deon Alfred ensured Beacon took the lead with their second goal.
The one goal cushion for Beacon for some time seemed to be working as Conquerors looked a bit flat up front, the Beacon big defenders imposing their size on the opposition to good effect.
But in the final 15 minutes of the game, the Fruta Juice mixed with Chubby that the Conquerors team had at the half time break began to work.
They sprung to life suddenly led by Schultz and took the fight directly to Beacon. Shultz could have been seen on the offensive and also playing defence when it was necessary.
Their persistence and fight paid the dividends that they wanted when in the 55th minute, Schultz, who was by now getting the better of the Beacon defence, worked his way down the centre before turning and skillfully hitting the ball past Charles for the equaliser.
This goal brought a major eruption of excitement from the Conquerors supporters who stormed the field to congratulate their young stars.
Both sides went for the killer goal thereafter but it was never to be and penalty kicks were required to decide the winner of the 2008 edition.
Beacon were large and in charge from the spot as Charles proved his worth between the uprights by saving three of Conquerors’ four shots including that of Schultz who took the first. He also held shots from Sherwin James and Kareem Sanmoogan. Only eight year-old Hackett scored for the Fruta team with a ripping straight shot as Charles went diving to his left.
Of the four kicks that Beacon took, they converted three, Darren Harris, Deon Alfred and
Joshua Meredith hitting the network, Dale Christopher missed.
Another year and another championship for Beacon who kept their unbeaten record intact, the only team to do so in the tournament, they won last year’s competition which was contested at the under-13 level.
Thomas United, who lost last years final, took the third place trophy this time around with a 2-0 win over GFC. Romario Andrews (34) and Devon Harvey (50) scoring their goals.
Members of the winning team were presented with book bags and one dozen exercise books each compliments of sponsors, Guyana Beverage Inc.
First Assembly of God, one of the replacement teams, copped the Most Disciplined team award.
Tournament organisers, Georgetown Football Association, singled out for special mention referees Wayne Joseph and Ivor Blackman, the only two officials who officiated during the entire competition.
Guyana Beverage Inc. Customer Service Manager Shameeza Yadrow was on hand to assist with the presentation of prizes.
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