BEI edge BHS to win inaugural ‘Patto’ Memorial U-17 Schools Football tourney

Jun 08, 2013 Sports

It was the final of the competition and the action on the field lived up to all expectation as arch rivals Berbice Educational Institute (BEI) and Berbice High School (BHS) played their hearts out in a tough, entertaining and action filled encounter in the final of the inaugural Patrick “Patto” April U-17 Inter School Football Tournament for schools in the New Amsterdam/ Canje area.
In the end it was BEI that held their nerve to win from pre match favourite BHS 4-3 on penalty kicks after the game ended 0-0 after full time in the enthralling encounter which was played on Thursday at the All Saints Scotts Church Ground on Princess Elizabeth Road in New Amsterdam.

The winning BEI team pose with their silverware after upsetting BHS

With the fortunes fluctuating, BHS only have themselves to blame as their completely dominated the first half and were all over their opponents.
The only thing they did not do was to score. The BEI goalkeeper Omari Bentham was also equal to the task and enacted some brilliant saves.
When play resumed in the second half it was a reorganized and rejuvenated BEI team that took the field as the table turned. BEI enjoyed a better run of play in the second half and also controlled more ball possession and the better portion of the run of play.
For some reason BHS game fell away as their goalkeeper James Isaacs was forced to pull off some excellent saves.
The match continued to see saw with both teams having near misses and squandering some sure goal scoring opportunities to the frustration of the fair size crowd on hand with BHS being the guiltier of the two. Both Goalkeepers Bentham and Isaacs were brilliant between the uprights and were commended for their good work.
Earlier in the third place play off – New Amsterdam Multilateral School (NAMS) had things their way as they trounced Canje Secondary School (CSS) 4-0. Scoring for NAMS were Jamal Butts with a double, Akeem Bentham once and a defence error.
In the presentation ceremony that followed the winning BEI team were presented with the Patrick ‘Patto’ April trophy by aunt of the deceased – Yvonne Moore who congratulated the teams for putting on a wonderful and entertain encounter. She also encouraged the students to continue their schooling and take their education seriously.
BHS received the runner up prize, while NAMS collected the third place trophy. Bentham was judged best goalkeeper with teammate Benny Herman named the best defended. Mark Wrong of BHS took away two prizes for scoring the most goals in the competition, netting seven, and for being the best midfielder on show.
Patto” as he was known was a popular football player and butcher in Berbice who went on to represent Berbice on a number of occasions at various levels of the game.
The competition was organised by the Hearts of Oak Master Football Club and coordinator by former national players Neil “Grizzly” Humphrey and Kenrick Bowry. (Samuel Whyte)