Chase clinch semi-final spot with 2-1 win over Annai
Digicel Schools Football Championships 2016…
BY AKEEM GREENE
Chase Academic Foundation booked their semi-final spot in the Digicel Schools Football Championships by defeating Annai
The victorious Chase Academic Foundation and Digicel Representatives after the match at the St. Ignatius Community Centre (Akeem Greene Photo)
Secondary School 2-1 on Sunday at the St. Ignatius Community Centre Ground, Region nine.
Goals by Captain Jermey Garnett and Stephon Reynolds proved to be the edge in the fiercely competed match while Vasco Cabral netted in a losing cause.
The match began with Chase in the ascendency, as Shomal Smith had the first clear shot on target in the 10th, lifting the ball over the goal with his left foot.
Two minutes later a leaping Ryan Hackett failed to keep a header down which would have easily translated into a goal.
A hand-ball by defender from Annai Secondary inside the box gave Garnett a penalty chance which he easily sealed in the 14th.
By no means did the goal dent the home team’s spirit as they responded with a series of pressing offensive plays that had the Chase defence under immense pressure and the crowd jumping.
Kelsey Benjamin released the pressure for his side when he dribble his way from the halfway line to the 18-yard box, squaring the ball to Nicholas McAurther who failed to keep his shot down on target.
The second half began in the most entrilling fashion, with Annai taking a free-kick from 35 yards, which sailed precisely in the path of Cabral, who completed brilliant header into the top right in the 46th minute to spark a rocus cheer by the large crowd.
The half-time downpour certainly changed the conditions drastically, with the slippery field playing more in the favour of the home team.
Chase’s Jobe Ceasar (orange and red) in a tough battle for the ball with a defender from Annai Secondary School (Akeem Greene photo)
Chase’s keeper slipped on the line pushing the ball in striking distance of the attacking Cabral who failed to get any power on the shot,
Goal scorers for Chase Academy Jermey Garnett (left) and Stephon Reynolds
missing the chance to double the score in quick time.
Annai continued to grow in confidence, and with the growing crowd, they were out-playing last year’s runners-up, as Nairon Williams was creating havoc on the left wing with his nimble footwork.
In the 74th, Chase responded when Benjamin forced his way down the left flank and into the box, squaring a pass to Reynolds who headed the ball into lower right.
The seesaw battle continued with both teams but the visitors used their experience to ensure a safe passage to the next round.
The semi-finals will be played on Wednesday at the National Track and Field Facility at Leonora, West Coast Demerara.
