ExxonMobil U14 tournament: Goals galore as group stage continues

It was raining goals on Sunday at the Ministry of Education (MoE) Ground, especially in the Girls’ division, when the ExxonMobil Boys’ and Girls’ football tournament headed into the second round of the group stage.
The girls’ defending champions put the others in the competition on notice once for the second consecutive week, but other challengers showed that they were up to the task.
With braces off the boots of Brentia Marks (9th, 17th) and Erika Harris (15th, 23rd), alongside one each from Nickisha Williams and Electra Marks in the 2nd and 20th minutes and an own goal, 2023 champions Waramuri Primary Top romped to a 7-0 victory over Christ Church Secondary.
Their regional counterparts, Santa Rosa Secondary matched their fireworks with a 7-0 victory of their own, against New Central High. Veronica Chatta was the leading lady for Santa Rosa, netting 5 goals in the 2nd, 4th, 6th, 10th and 12th minutes. Shevon Benjamin backed up her teammate with a double in the 28th and 30th minutes.

However, in another big victory of the day, last year’s runners-up President’s College’s girls thumped Marian Academy 8-0. Reyanna Gounga led the charge with goals in the 5th, 7th, 13th, 25th and 29th minutes, while Kimore Edwards had a hat-trick in the 8th, 17th and 27th minutes.
Also in the winners’ circle were Bartica Secondary, who, led by a hat-trick of the boots of Nerismar Williams (23rd, 27th, 28th) secured a 7-1 win against Westminster Secondary. Kelys Willams (7th) and Genesha Spencer (32nd) netted one each for Bartica while Westminster added two own goals to their opponents’ tally. Meanwhile, Julianna Pillay scored Westminster’s consolation in the 25th minute.
Charity Secondary also ‘won big’ on Sunday as a team effort steered them to a 5-0 win against Dolphin Secondary. Rhyia Wilson(2nd), Remilia Dc Agrella (12th), Cyenthia De Losta (18th, 20th) and Shelezo Boston (24th) were the goal scorers for Charity.
Another team effort with goals from Latrisha Jack (2nd, 23rd), Moneta Fraser (12th) and Ashante Scott (18th) handed Cotton Field Secondary a 4-0 defeat on behalf of Bush Lot secondary.
Ceara Glasgow’s brace in the 7th and 19th minutes helped Tucville Secondary’s girls to a 2-0 victory over East Ruimveldt Secondary. Meanwhile, Three Miles Secondary and Carmel Secondary were awarded walkovers instead of facing New Campbelville and IAE.
Over in the Boys’ competition, Three Miles Secondary started the day off with a 2-0 victory over Leonora Secondary. Keon Grant (15th) and Quincy Fraser (29th) were the marksmen for Three Miles.
Buoyed by a Jadan Christian (5th, 19th, 27th) hat-trick, Bartica Secondary pulled off a 4-1 win when they came up against Annandale Secondary. While Gerald Homid (23rd) netted Bartica’s fourth, S Rogers (9th) secured Annandale’s consolation.
A Pharez Noble strike in the 23rd minute made the difference between Christianburg Wismar and Abram Zuil Secondary in their encounter. The scoreline was the same when Hope Secondary met with Brickdam. Oswald Duke was the lone scorer in the 28th minute to hand Hope the win.
Another close encounter saw New Amsterdam Secondary getting past Christ Church Secondary 2-1. Eon Willams (18th, 21st) netted a double for New Amsterdam while Jadel Liverpool had put Christ Church ahead in the 8th.
Westminister Secondary, on the back of goals from Germine Garrett (3rd, 7th) and Shakell Waaldijk (4th) defeated St Joseph’s High 3-1. Akel Sahaeo had the lone reply for St Joseph’s in the 24th minute.
Damani Hardy’s 6th-minute goal became the only one as Dolphin Secondary needled New Campbellville Secondary. The same was the case when Jamaine Caster struck in the 30th minute for President’s College against St John’s.
Lucas Pinol (12th, 20th); Nyhl George (14th) and Cristiano Larose (23rd) lifted Marian Academy to a 4-0 victory over Queen’s College.
Jasia Ross (7th) and Isaiah Cozier (24th) netted one apiece in a 2-0 win for Carmel Secondary against West Demerara Secondary. L’ Aventure Secondary later overcame East Ruimveldt Secondary on the back of a solitary goal from Jermanie Thornhill in the 22nd minute.
Chase’s Academy got the better of VYC in a 2-1 encounter. Omar Pedro (5th) and Mark Glasgow (29th) were the goal scorers for Chase’s. The score was the same as Santa Rosa Secondary got the better of Patentia Secondary. Shane James (22nd, 40th) registered a brace for Santa Rosa.
A 1-0 win for last year’s runners-up Waramuri Primary Top over Charlestown Secondary closed the day’s proceedings. Leandro Edwards was the lone marksman in the 24th minute.
In other results, South Ruimveldt and South Secondary played to a 1-1 draw, while Bygeval and Bush Lot Secondary were tied up 2-2 at the end of their meeting. West Ruimveldt and School of the Nations also played to the same 2-2 result. Ann’s Grove Secondary and New Central High also tied 1-1.
The ExxonMobil U14 tournament is expected to continue with the final round of the group stage this weekend at the same venue.