ExxonMobil U14: Bartica, Marian Academy Girls, St John’s, Chase’s boys dominate

56 teams have been trimmed down to 16 across the Boys and Girls’ divisions following a thrilling Round of 16 in the ExxonMobil Under-14 Schools football tournament, which unfolded on Wednesday afternoon at the Ministry of Education (MoE) Ground on Carifesta Avenue, Georgetown.
Action in the girls’ division got proceedings going, with Abram Zuil Secondary bringing up the first win, 4-0, against St Joseph’s High. Akeela Williams (20th, 25th, 39th) led with a hat trick, while Faith Adams added the team’s other goal in the 36th.

Next, Bartica Secondary continues their high-scoring exploits with an 11-0 drubbing of Good Hope Secondary. Kelys Williams (4th, 28th, 32nd) and Virlerkys Simon (9th, 13th, 22nd) netted hat tricks; Ronelly Williams (28th, 32nd) a brace, added to one each off the boots of Nerismar Williams, Genesha Spencer and Keysi Austin in the 16th, 24th and 31st minutes, respectively.
Another high-scoring game in the girls’ division saw Marian Academy cruising to the next round with a 6-0 win over West Ruimveldt. Haley Haberkorn (2nd, 8th) and Kaleigh Todd (6th, 40th) put up doubles for the Carifesta Avenue outfit, accompanied by one strike each from Crystal Patterson and Skylar Denobrega in the 22nd and 26th minutes, respectively.
Bushlot Secondary later edged New Central High’s girls 2-1 on the back of goals from Ashante Scott (26th) and Maliya Reynolds (34th). Janicia Rocke scored New Central’s lone goal in the 17th minute. Similarly, Leandra Henrito (14th) and Diana Edwards (27th) netted once each to guide Chase’s Academic Foundation to a 2-1 victory over Annandale Secondary. Shinqua Shiney brought up Annandale’s lone strike in the 18th. Next, Rodelisa Collins’ 30th-minute strike later helped East Ruimveldt needle West Minster Secondary.
Over in the boys’ division, after a stalemate in regulation time, Bygeval Secondary got the better of Charity Secondary 3-2 on penalty kicks. Another drawn encounter, Cotton Field and Dolphin Secondary’s clash ended 1-1. However, the latter prevailed 7-6 on kicks from the penalty mark. Earlier in the game, Anthony Charles put Cotton Field ahead in the 30th, while Tyler Abram levelled the scores for Dolphin in the 39th.
A Joshua James hat trick in the 8th, 28th and 35th minutes later got Three Miles past New Amsterdam Secondary 3-0. Mooses Allen (15th, 27th) found the back of the net twice and Omari Chase (24th) once to hand East Ruimveldt’s Boys a 3-1 win over West Demerara Secondary. Malachi Charles netted for West Demerara in the 29th.
While Jasiah Nedd struck in the very first minute, Shangi Welch later added a brace in the 24th and 28th minutes during a 3-0 victory for St John’s College against Belladrum Secondary.
West Ruimveldt and Annandale Secondary’s clash also went down to the wire, but West eventually came out on top, 5-4, on penalty kicks. Malachi Jervis pierced the nets for Annandale in the 19th minute, but Joel Griffith was swift with West Ruimveldt’s response in the 20th.
Defending champions Chase’s Academic Foundation had a comfortable 3-1 win against Charlestown Secondary, in spite of a blunder. Jadan Christian (39th), Nyron Barrow (40th), and Jashan Haynes (30th) contributed to the tally, while an own goal accounted for the opposition’s consolation.
An exhilarating battle between Waramuri and St Joseph’s High brought the curtains down. Darwin Lyte (21st, 23rd) pierced the nets twice, while Sion Mathias (25th) and Wade Ferreiro (33rd) had one strike each in Waramuri’s 4-2 win. For St Joseph’s High, Josiah John scored both goals in the 3rd and 35th minutes.
Other schools like Waramuri Secondary and Vreed-en-Hoop secondary’s girls received walkovers to the next round.
The ExxonMobil U14 tournament will head into the quarterfinal round this Sunday, July 13th.