The stakes were high at the Ministry of Education (MoE) Ground on Sunday evening, in the seventh and final round of the Limacol Schools’ Football League, but when the dust settled, it was Chase’s Academy who received their crown after all but sealing a championship win since the sixth round.
It was a situation where Santa Rosa Secondary needed an outright victory to secure a spot in the upcoming KFC International Goodwill Series, without which the spot would go to Bartica Secondary.
But Santa Rosa found themselves coming up against familiar foes, Chase’s Academy, who they had met in another school football championship match earlier in 2023 and were unbeaten in the Limacol tournament thus far.
NEW GPC’s Elizabeth Ram presents Bryan Wharton with his MVP accolade
With one hand already on the Limacol Trophy and revenge on their minds, Chase’s Academy did not think to spare their opponents a beating, winning the encounter 5-0.
After an even first few minutes, Omar Sam was the first to find the back of the net in the 28th minute, while Neeiaz Baksh made it a 2-0 game three minutes later.
The scoreline remained 2-0 until the half, but just as play resumed Sam beat the Santa Rosa keeper once again to complete his brace in the 46th minute. Captain Bryan Wharton added his name to the scoresheet in the 54th minute while Manasseh Anderson did the same in the 70th for the victory.
Earlier in the day, Bartica Secondary almost squandered their opportunity to compete in the KFC tournament, after suffering a narrow loss to Ann’s Grove Secondary.
Ray Richards (left) picked up his second Best Keeper award this year
Ann’s Grove took the lead first by way of a Naron Jerrick strike in the 25th minute; however, the lead was short-lived as Bartica’s Arvel Singh equalised in the 30th minute.
The icebreaker came until the 60th minute off the boots of Ann’s Grove’s Marcus Cole. The East Coast outfit needed only defend thereafter to seal the win.
Also on Sunday, Mackenzie High pummelled Christianburg Wismar Secondary 7-0 in an all-Linden clash.
The onslaught began in the 12th minute when Deon Peters got past the keeper and continued in the 23rd when Azizi Grant found the back of the net. Azainneo Benjamin and Aaron Murray netted in 40th and 45th minutes respectively, while Malik McLean joined the party in the 58th. Joshua Fleming made it 6-0 the 62nd and an own goal on the opposition’s part resulted in the final 7-0 score.
While Chase’s Academy won the tournament with 19 points in seven rounds, Carmel Secondary were the runner-ups with 16 points, while Bartica Secondary were third with 12 points. Mackenzie High, by virtue of their victory on Sunday, surpassed Santa Rosa and clinched the fourth-place finish.
Chase’s Academy’s Wharton was both the tournament’s highest goal-scorer and Most Valuable Player (MVP), while Carmel’s Ray Richards was the best goalkeeper.
The championship team walked away with $300,000 for a school project while second, third and fourth will receive $150,000, $75,000 and $50,000 for the same purpose.
“On behalf of NEW GPC INC, through the Limacol brand, I must extend hearty congratulations to Chase’s Academy for dominating this year’s 2023 Limacol football league. Congratulations, you’ve shown excellent sportsmanship, and that has brought you this far,” NEW GPC Marketing Manager Elizabeth Ram shared at the presentation ceremony.
She went on to add, “Petra Organisation, on behalf of the Limacol brand and NEW GPC, we want to thank you for including us in this league and allowing us to be part of the youth development programmes you have for our country.”
