– to represent Region 4 at National Heritage finals
It was sweet revenge for St Cuthbert’s Mission FC when they upset Swan FC 2-1 to win the Region Four Heritage Football Playoff and earn themselves the right to represent that region at the National Heritage finals this weekend.
Swan’s goal keeper was unable to hold on to St. Cuthbert’s first goal
Playing in a three-way competition, St Cuthbert’s Mission had lost 4-2 to a more organized and evidently determined Swan team, sending shockwaves in the St Cuthbert’s community. However, St Cuthbert’s regrouped, defeating Laluni 4-2 on penalty, and ultimately earned the right to play Swan in the finals, to determine the rightful representative for the region.
Swan seemed to lack the finishing touch, and were unable to convert their scoring opportunities against St Cuthbert’s, who raided the Swan scoring area in search of goals. Cheered on by a large and vocal crowd, which included Mrs Beverly Clenkian, St Cuthbert’s Toshao and Sports Councillor, the St Cuthbert’s side used their home advantage to play a much more competitive football.
St Cuthbert’s danger man, Zack Perriera
Entering the finals with some amount of complacency, Swan played a loose game, and were stunned in the fifth minute when Shamai Bernard rampaged through an empty Swan defence to stun the goal keeper with a long range shot for which Swan had no answer.
With confidence dented and morale under siege, the Swan players began wilting in face of the St Cuthbert’s determination and self-confidence. It was as though St Cuthbert’s had cut the Swan lifeline, and the Swan players immediately resorted to a game which was completely out of character with their competent display of the first encounter.
As the game progressed, St Cuthbert’s gained more ball possession, and it did not take long for the scoreline to shift to 2- nil, especially since danger man Zack Pererria had come to play ball, and was demonstrating why the other regions should take note of his presence. He cleverly shot a missile into the Swan goal as he added his name to the score card in the 15th minute.
After this second goal, Swan threw everything into defence, no longer even bothering to hunt for a hunt. However, as the game progressed, an energized and determined Joseph Williams scored for Swan in the 23rd minute, and the scoreline was amended to 2-1 in favour of St Cuthbert’s Mission.
In the second half, both teams were guilty of wasting several scoring opportunities, with Swan being the more culpable party.
As the final whistle was blown, a crestfallen Swan team dejectedly exited the pitch, several of their young players emotionally hurting with the results. It was clear that while this young team was fired up to play, it didn’t have the experience needed to play football against St Cuthbert’s Mission at this level.
Swan’s very disappointed coach, Gonsalves, said he was lost for words over his team’s showing in the finals. “We had a game plan; and while I don’t want to sound as though I am hitting the guys very hard, the reality is that we didn’t stick to the plan, and therefore lost a game which, had we played according to plans, we may have won,” he said.
“We have a corps of players who, with the right training, discipline, and determination, will go on to greater things; because they are determined and confident, and that is the brightest part of everything,” he said in hopes that his players will someday go on to play in the National team.
An overjoyed St Cuthbert’s captain, Duran Adrian, said his team was forced to rebound, after underestimating Swan in their first encounter.
“We recognised that we had to regroup, as we came out to win all of our matches; and unfortunately for us, we lost the first (match), but rebounded in the second and last (matches), which (were) the most important ones. We are confident of doing well, and we are all elated that we have not disappointed the people of our community,” Adrian said.
