Latest update February 6th, 2025 7:27 AM
Digicel Nationwide Schools Football Competition… Orealla produce gritty performance to beat BEI 4-3 in penalty shootout
Part of the action between Orealla (red uniforms) and BEI yesterday at Burnham Park in Berbice.
– move on to play BHS for regional title today
By Rawle Welch
Orealla produced a gritty performance to set up a mouth watering clash against Berbice High School (BHS) for the Region 6 title in the Digicel Nationwide School Football Competition today, at Burnham Park in New Amsterdam, Berbice.
Playing in the second semi-final against Berbice Educational Institute (BEI) at Burnham Park Saturday, the lads from the small Amerindian community which is located approximately 60 miles up the Berbice River booked their place in the final after surviving 4-3 in a penalty shootout after regulation time left the two teams deadlocked in a 3-3 stalemate.
The Orealla unit made an early statement that they were there to compete when pint-sized Donnell France silenced the BEI band of supporters when he unleashed a ferocious shot from about 30 metres out that caught a surprised BEI goalkeeper off guard and the ball plummeted into the back of the goal from a fumble two minutes after the game commenced.
More disaster was to come when the inspirational Cleon Henry, who was playing with supreme confidence, delivered a pile-driver low to the near post that beat the diving effort of the BEI custodian in the 6th minute of play.
BEI, a team renowned for their comeback heroics never threatened at that stage and their early lackluster display seemed to frustrate the fans, but on the stroke of the 30th minute Troy Moore exhibiting wonderful technical skill weaved past a host of defenders, swiveled neatly, before firing past the Orealla goalkeeper.
The goal came shortly after Dwaine Alleyne had rocked the crossbar after outsprinting two defenders following a pass from centre-field.
(from left)- Orealla goalscorers Donnell France and Cleon Henry pose for a photo op following their win over BEI.
The score-line remained that way until the half time whistle sounded with Orealla enjoying a slim one-goal advantage.
However, the resumption came and the visitors quickly showed that they were not fazed by the sudden twist in momentum and seven minutes into the final period France netted his second when he punched in a pass from just beyond the 18-yard box to make it 3-1.
For the second time in the match, BEI managed to pull one back through Kelston Luke, who was left unmarked following a free kick which rebounded off a defender into his path and he nonchalantly stroked it past the keeper in the 69th minute.
With time running out, BEI searched relentlessly for another goal to equalize and got it when one of their strikers who had received a through pass was brought down inside the penalty area forcing the referee to award a spot kick which was placed to the right of the goalkeeper by Alleyne seven minutes from full time.
The two teams battled for the go ahead goal but the final whistle came with the scores tied and penalty kicks was the next order of the day which was deservedly won by Orealla who now have the opportunity to play for the regional title.
Photo saved as: Orealla scorers: Caption- (from left)- Orealla goalscorers Donnell France and Cleon Henry pose for a photo op following their win over BEI.
Photo saved as: Orealla vs. BEI: Caption- Part of the action between Orealla (red uniforms) and BEI yesterday at Burnham Park in Berbice.
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