Latest update February 6th, 2025 7:27 AM
Digicel’s Nationwide Schools Football Championships…IPE oust defending East Bank Champs
Institute of Professional Education (IPE) ousted defending Digicel’s Schools’ Football East Bank Demerara Champions, Friendship Secondary School, yesterday in a keenly contested battle at the Grove Community Centre Ground. IPE defeated Friendship 3-2 before a sizeable crowd that favoured the underdog IPE in the battle of the titans in the East Bank Zone. Deon Elias put IPE ahead in the 31st minute with a ‘rellick’ (overhead kick) at the southern end that came out of a skirmish.
The impressive and skilful Romario Welcome then emphasised IPE first
IPE’s Romario Welcome (with ball) skilfully manoeuvres between three defenders at midfield in the Digicel’s Schools’ Football Competition at the Grove Community Centre Ground on the East Bank of Demerara.
half dominance over the defending zone champs with a missile from about 18 yards off, which found that back of the goal in the 34th minute that had their supporters buoyant.
However, Friendship’s goalkeeper, Clive Mathews scored a ‘freak goal’ when he completed one of his regulation clearances that caught the opposing goalkeeper, Shaun Demonick off his line at the other end for a 35th minute goal. The first half ended 2-1 with IPE dominating ball possession; IPE then launched an assault on an obviously tiring Friendship Secondary in the second half, but came up empty as a result of a few breathtaking saves from the Friendship custodian.
But another mistake from the 12-year-old Demonick, who was the ‘Best Goalie’ in the Kashif & Shanghai Chico Under-13 School Programme, when he fumbled the ball, resulted in an 85th min. strike from Jocoby McCommon that levelled the scores.
The stalemate continued through regulation and referees added 10 minutes extra time to decide a winner in the knockout competition. That winner surfaced when Damian Jones completed a goal off a rebound from the goal posts in the 105th minute.
The win sparked loud celebrations at the venue as Friendship exited in the first round; Covent Garden Secondary also advanced after Camille’s Institute failed to turn up for their game. Grove Community Centre Ground will host matches all week and the East Bank Final on Friday, where the winner advances to the National Championships. (Edison Jefford)
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