Latest update January 6th, 2025 4:00 AM
Waramadong Sec outlasts Bartica Secondary to vie for zone championship honours
By Michael Benjamin
A vociferous crowd comprising teachers and staunch supporters of the Bartica Secondary School (BSS) lined the touchline and shouted encouragement to their team but despite staging a courageous battle, the lads from the gold mining community bowed out to Waramadong Secondary School 2-1 when action in the Digicel Schools Football championship continued at the Bartica
Waramadong’s marksmen, Deon Rodrigues (left) and Ashton Ward will be key players in this afternoon’s game for zone honours.
Secondary School ground Friday afternoon last.
Ashton Ward (26) and Deon Rodrigues (30) were on target for the winners, while Godfrey Norton pulled one back for the losers in the 70th minute.
Waramadong is known for its qualitative brand of football and the lads from the Region 8 community did not disappoint. Their attacking skills coupled with acute ball distribution were indeed a joy to behold. Conversely, BSS was all showmanship, dribbling the ball while wending their way to their opponent’s goal. They attacked and peppered the Waramadong goalie, Gerald Isaacs, with pinpoint shots which he did well to save. Ward and Rodrigues were the two standouts and both pierced the opposition’s goal after skilful ball weaving tactics and accurate conversions.
Early showers had left the ground in a sodden state and hindered the smooth movement of the Bartica players but those of the Waramadong team seemed to be at home in those conditions and applied the pressure. The match then got physical as the Bartica team tackled with gusto until a similar confrontation left three players on the turf with the medical staff called in to render first aid treatment.
When the action resumed, Bartician, Luciana Narine, performed a solo, skilfully wending his way past the opposition’s mid fielders but had to contend with Waramadong’s defence line up of Ali Granis, Herbert George and Marlon Ondris, who forcefully checked his advance. Entered Deon Rodrigues, a slick Waramadong striker; he sprinted down the right flank and sent in a powerful shot but the goalie, Shane Luke, was ready and averted any danger after scooping up the ball.
As the match dwindled, and being a goal shy of the equalizer, Bartica Secondary upped the ante and peppered the Waramadong custodian with shots from varying angles but Isaacs proved his worth with good saves. Just as suddenly as it has subsided, the rain returned in torrents and the sloshy terrain made the job a mite more difficult for both teams, yet the Waramadong players kept up the tempo until one of the players failed to control an offering and kicked the ball into the corner for the opposition to be awarded the kick.
With limited opportunities in the field, Norton took the corner kick and his pinpoint strike zoomed past the outstretched hands of the Waramadong custodian and settled aback the net. The success witnessed a reenergised effort from Bartica but with limited time and a strong Waramadong offensive, their efforts dwindled to naught and the final whistle, minutes later, sealed their fate.
Activities continue this afternoon at the same venue when Waramadong tackles Eight Mile Secondary to determine the winners in the Region Seven zone. Kick off time is 15:00hrs.
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