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Digicel Nationwide Schools Football Competition …ETI beat NOC on Penalty kicks in riveting Region Two Zone
But NOC advance on protest against over-age player
By Sean Devers in E’bo
In sultry conditions on Tuesday at New Opportunity Corps (NOC) ground
Stephon Apple (number 10 in white shirt) is watched by a couple of ETI defenders as he out sprints another ETI defense player to beat Shamar Lovell in the 3rd minute to open the scoring for NOC
on the Essequibo Coast, NOC who beat Anna Regina Secondary on the opening day of matches in the Region Two Zone of the Digicel National Schools Football competition, lost a hard fought match against the Essequibo Technical Institute (ETI) on Penalty Kicks after the game was tied 3 all at the end of Regulation time.
However, a protest was submitted pointing out that ETI’s striker Devon Hardy was born June 3, 1997 breaching the tournament rules which states a player must be born on or after September 1, 1997 to be eligible to play. The match result was over-turned yesterday (Wednesday) and NOC will advance to the next round of the Region Two Zone which concludes today. The Region Two Final is scheduled for July 6, CARICOM Day.
After the game commenced over an hour late due to the late arrival of the ETI team, NOC’s Stephon Apple outsprinted a defence player and beat the advancing Shamar Lovell in the third minute to give NOC an early lead in a riveting contest which was reduced to a 70-minute affair.
The skillful Apple once again tested the Goalkeeping ability of Lovell who made a good save
Shaquil Cummins climbs high to skillfully tip a free kick from Nicholas Gillette over the bar.
but NOC would suffer the loss of one of their key marksmen when Mark Lawrence was injured during a tussle for ball possession. In a semi conscious state he was lifted off the field by a team mate and taken to the Suddie Hospital where he spent Tuesday night for observations after it was confirmed that there were no fractured or broken bones.
The game continued and the action picked up on the heavy ground as ETI found their rhythm after an uncertain start. Mahendra Jagmohan wasted a chance to score what seemed a certain goal with only the Keeper to beat but seemed unsure of which foot to shoot with and the chance for NOC went abegging.
There was more frustration for the home team when Nicholas Gillette hit a powerful free kick after ‘Hand ball’ was called inside the box but Shquel Cummins timed his jump to perfection and just managed to tip the ball over the bar.
In the 29th minute, Raphael Cooke got a pass from the ever present Gillette from the left side
Goal scorers (standing from left) NOC’s Stephon Apple, Kayron Richmond & Jason Perreira (in front for ETI) Nicholas Gillette & Rapheal Cooke. They scored 6 goals between them as the game was tied 3-3 at full time.
and, leaping above the defenders, his header was full of precision and Cummins in goal had no chance. The scores were now level. A minute later Gillette made it 2-1 for ETI which was the score at the end of a very competitive half with ETI enjoying the better of the exchanges.
Early in the second stanza, NOC were provided with an opportunity to score the equalizer when Kelon Isaacs’ head failed to connect with the ball from a perfect corner kick from Kevon Richardson.
The large contingent of NOC’s female students, who were very vocal throughout the exciting battle, were now chanting ‘Go NOC go’ at the top of their voices as they desperately urged on their team, who badly needed the equalizer with time running out.
The goalkeepers were made to work hard with both teams playing aggressively and making frequent raids on each other’s goal as the still soggy ground put plenty pressure on tired legs.
NOC equalized in the 51st minute when a free kick from Richardson was converted by Apple as Lovell strangely opted to clear a waist high ball with his foot instead of catching it, to make it 2-2.
With two minutes left, Jason Perreira scored what many thought was the winning goal when his shot rebounded back to him from the ETI’s Custodian and he buried it into the back of the net with his second attempt to make it 3-2 in favour of NOC.
But the drama was not finished yet and with the clock ticking, the talented Gillette scored for the second time for ETI just before the whistle was blown to signal the end of regulation time, forcing the game to be decided on Kicks from the penalty mark.
Both Goalkeepers saved one each but ETI traveled back to their school in Anna Regina, Essequibo’s only Town, thinking they were still alive in the competition courtesy of their 4-2 win from kicks from the Penalty mark only to be informed that Hardy was over aged and that NOC will advance instead.
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