Digicel Nationwide Schools Football Competition...Defending champs one step closer to title defence

Digicel Nationwide Schools Football Competition…Defending champs one step closer to title defence

Jul 01, 2015 Sports

National champions Christiansburg /Wismar Secondary School made another giant leap towards the defence of their title after beating archrival Mackenzie High School (MHS) 3-1 yesterday to seal the Linden Zone title of this year’s Digicel Nationwide Schools Football Competition, at the Wisburg ground.

Digicel’s Sponsorship and Events Manager Gavin Hope hands over the winning trophy to regional champions Christianburg / Wismar Captain in the presence of teammates and coaches yesterday at Wisburg ground.

The three-time reigning title holders pocketed $100,000 along with the winning trophy and a set of uniforms and in the process advanced one step closer to the $1M overall prize. Omar Brewley sent the champs on their way when he netted in the 14th minute from the penalty spot to give them the lead.
MHS all this time just could not create chances of any threat, while the Christianburg /Wismar unit looked dangerous in their offensive forays, but poor finishing kept the score line manageable for the MHS side as the half time whistle sounded.
Coming out of the break, both teams made substitutions in an effort to bolster their respective chances, but every attempt to score at both ends were nullified by robust defending. MHS utilising the long ball tactic did manage to create some panic in the Christianburg /Wismar backline, but they were guilty of spraying the ball wide.
The speedy Jovon Bobb, who was giving the left back a host of trouble with his speed eventually,

Christianburg scorers from left, Omar Brewley and Jovon Bobb pose for a photo op yesterday.

broke the stalemate when he delivered a ferocious header from a set piece taken by Dequan Hercules from the right side in the 61st minute.
It was a goal of sheer class as he raced on to the cross that was floated on the back post and hit a scorching header into the goal to evoke wild celebrations amongst the team’s supporters. Enjoying a 2 -0 lead, Christianburg /Wismar seemed to be coasting to a comfortable victory when Denielson Rose climbed above a static backline to head home after seventy-two minutes from a corner.
However, the champs were forced to respond and they did through Bobb, who raced on to a pass from centre field, outpaced his markers, before beating the advancing goalkeeper to the ball to slot home his second goal in the seventy-eight minute of play.
MHS were in relentless pursuit of drawing level, but the champs’ backline held firm until the final whistle sounded to set up a clash with the Region 3 champions on July 12. Meanwhile, At the Tucville Community ground, Sir Leon Lessons crushed South Ruimveldt Secondary by a 6-0 score line. Nippy forward Jermaine Beckles recorded a hat-trick of goals in the sixth, 11th and 47th minutes.
He was assisted by Levi Canterbury, Consdale George and Curtis Kellman who scored in the 15th, 16th and 35th minutes respectively. In the Region #6 Zone, Manchester Secondary defeated Tagore Secondary by a 4-3 margin at the Skeldon Centre ground.
At No. #5 in Berbice, Bush Lot Secondary overcame Belladrum Secondary 2-1 via penalty kicks after normal time ended with the scores locked at 1-1.