The master strategist could make the difference in today’s final

Apr 05, 2014 Sports

Milo/Petra Organisation Schools Football Competition…

-Christ Church, Dolphin clash for third place

Everyone is asking the question as to what could the two coaches come up with strategically to give them the decisive edge in a battle that pits two schools with similar fighting qualities and the hunger for overall bragging rights as the best there is in Georgetown.
We are talking about today’s final showdown between defending champions St.George’s and Lodge in the Milo/Petra Organisation Schools Football Competition which is set to conclude, at the Ministry of Education ground on Carifesta Avenue.
However, before the eagerly anticipated clash could take place, another exciting matchup is scheduled to be played featuring Dolphin and Christ Church for third place.

(Flashback) – Could this year’s crowd rival or even surpass last year’s turnout as seen her?.

In the championship game, St.George’s Head Coach Winston Maynard exuded confidence of retaining the title, while his counterpart from Lodge Leon Bristol too expressed confidence of claiming victory.
Maynard spoke of employing strategies to shut down the opposition’s most lethal players, while Bristol said their main focus would be to disrupt the flow of passes from the mid-field to make life difficult for the likes of Robby McClaggon, Orin Moore Jnr, Marlon Duncan and Ozeal Small.
On the other hand, Maynard told this newspaper that they would be looking to nullify the attacking flair of Orlando Gravesande and the prolific Shemar Smith, who usually receives support from Tavel Jonas, Ryan Hackett and Jarel Grannum.
What is known is that Bristol is a master tactician and he exhibited that to perfection in their semi-final clash against Dolphin whose star player Job Caesar was almost a no-show until he scored from a free kick.
He will be hoping that all the tactics taught during the week’s practice sessions are perfected during the game and that his key marksmen Gravesande, Smith and Hackett show up big on the night.
The reigning kings will no doubt be looking to inspirational centre back Quincy Lawrence to lead their quest for another lien on the trophy, while support from mid-field maestro Okeri Codrington and Small will be needed to get past a tactically sound Lodge unit.
It all lends to a riveting final and once again fans, scouts and stakeholders are being urged to witness the classic.
In the playoff for third place, Dolphin should start as slight favourites to win this one, but as we’ve seen previously Christ Church is no pushover.
Dolphin’s chances of winning will rest on the shoulders of Dequan Matthews, Samuel Hunte, Caesar and Lenroy Forde, while Christ Church’s pursuit of victory will no doubt depend on how well Lonsdale George, Kadeem Blackman and Andre Trotz play.
Kickoff time is 16:00 hrs with the final set for 18:00 hrs.
Representatives of the sponsor Milo, Ministry of Health and the Petra Organisation will be on hand to distribute the prizes following the completion of the final.