All eyes on ExxonMobil U14 finals today

The ExxonMobil Under-14 schools’ football tournament will come to a close today, Saturday, September 10, but not before four teams battle for top honours in the boys’ and girls’ divisions.
Following six weeks of exciting youth football, Charlestown Secondary and Ann’s Grove Secondary will duke it out in the boys’ final, while in the distaff contest, defending champions East Ruimveldt Secondary and inaugural champions Charlestown Secondary will lock horns.

For Charlestown’s girls, they would want to repeat their heroics of 2018 when they won the first-ever ExxonMobil Under-14 girls’ tournament, but that would not come without a fight.
Both girls’ finalists are yet to lose a game, but the inevitable will surely happen today. Charlestown have proven to be a good defensive side and equally proficient in the scoring department. This is evident, given the different heroes their games have brought to the fore. The likes of Chelsi Lupe, Hadassah Smith, Captain Chinwendu Rover and as last Saturday’s semi-final showed, Aqueena Griffith, all have the ability to find the back of the net.
As such, East Ruimveldt will be tasked with keeping their eyes, even those on the back of their heads, focused on Charlestown’s players. For the Mandela Avenue-based outfit, Captain Azaria Wilson is the highest goal-scorer, netting a hat-trick just last week. Wilson has carried her team throughout the tournament, with some assistance here and there. If the young lady is to be locked down defensively, Charlestown may have a shot at their second title, but will have to get past East Ruimveldt’s goalkeeper, who is yet to concede a goal in the 2022 tournament.
“I don’t have much to say, just come forward and support us Saturday and we are taking home the trophy,” a confident Rover said at a pre-game press conference at the Mango Walk Restaurant.
However, Wilson replied, “I am expecting a fair game and we are carrying home back the trophy.”
As expected, the boys’ final will be a little tenser, but it doesn’t have to be.
Returning from a stint with the National Under-14 team, Charlestown Captain Malcolm Hendricks proved to be a handy scorer in times of need. However, the likes of Nicholas Nieuelder and Colwin Kissoon have been consistent throughout the tournament in scoring.
Ann’s Grove Captain Isaiah Pellew and player Selwyn Fraser have displayed similar qualities. Ann’s Grove has shown a liking for scoring early and retreating into defence; as such, if Charlestown can put the East Coast boys at a deficit early in the game, we may have an entertaining final on our hands.
Charlestown’s Hendricks said jokingly, “Saturday, we are winning for sure. I only have one eye on a player from Ann’s Grove, once I take him out of the game, we will win for sure.”
Pellew countered, “We going out there to win and just stay in the first place.”
The players were not the only ones to trade words, as teachers took the opportunity to profess confidence in their teams.
“I have no lesser expectation but to put on a good show, not for our sake, but be a good competitor. If our track record doesn’t scare or intimidate our friends here, then let’s see what happens on Saturday. Bring it on, we’re ready,” East Ruimveldt’s Selwyn Browne said.
Ranole Bourne answered for Charlestown’s girls, “So, we are going to go back to the drawing board like we always do and we’re going to put things in place, so that come Saturday, we will be victorious.”
On the male side, Mark White said for Charlestown, “Basically, come Saturday, I would like to see an exciting game. I have no doubt that when the final whistle will be blown, Charlestown Secondary will be taking home the Under-14 boys’ championship.”
“I am very much excited that I have reached this juncture with the boys, that we are able to reach the finals. The fact that we are here, we ain’t going home without the trophy,” Tessa Nedd said on Ann’s Grove’s behalf.
Meanwhile, Petra Organisation Co-Director Troy Mendonca envisioned two entertaining finals today.
I think we would all agree that it was very challenging, but nevertheless, the teachers and students stuck with us during this past six weeks. We would like to express our thanks to them,” Mendonca said.
“I think that the teams that will be represented in the finals, they deserve to be here, and I think overall, all the teams deserve to be here, but they stood out.” (Jemima Holmes)