VMFA complete Youth Ensemble double with U15 victory

The Vurlon Mills Football Academy (VMFA) have stamped their authority as the youth team to beat in Guyana following a second national championship victory in the Guyana Football Federation’s Youth Ensemble programme, this time in the Under-15 Division.
The battle between Georgetown Football Association’s VMFA and Buxton Stars Football Club out of the East Demerara Football Association (EDFA) captured the attention of a group of boisterous parents and supporters on Sunday at the GFF’s National Training Centre (NTC) at Providence, East Bank Demerara, EBD.
VMFA struck early with Jashawn Haynes putting them ahead, Haynes later completed his brace with an individual run through the Buxton Stars defence, ending with a tuck into the corner of the net.
When it rains it pours, and that was the case for the East Coast Demerara outfit. VMFA’s Brandon Park let a shot loose from near the top of the 18-yard box which found the back of the net for their 3-0 lead at half time.
Whatever was said to the Buxton Stars youths at the interval seemed to have inspired some passion as they looked a different team in the second segment.
They were finally rewarded when a Malik Sobers shot found the back of the net while Yao Roberts capitalised on some chaos in the box to slot home their second in quick succession.

However, just when it appeared as though Buxton Stars’ comeback was on, they committed the cardinal sin, as a handled ball in the box resulted in a penalty opportunity for a now-nervous VMFA.
Fabio Kowlessar converted perfectly, rolling the ball into the left corner of the goal as the Buxton goalkeeper dived left, for their fourth goal.
VMFA did well to defend in the remaining minutes of the encounter to seal a 4-2 victory and the U15 Youth Ensemble championship.
At the presentation ceremony, GFF President Wayne Forde offered congratulations to the tournament’s top four teams, highlighting that the Youth Ensemble competition achieved its goal of providing more competitive opportunities to youth players.
“Many of the young boys that would’ve played here today, would’ve played more than 15 matches to get to the finals and this is what we’re trying to do. The GFF, through its technical and competition department, really wants to see young, developing players play between 30-48 competitive, structured football matches every season. Of course, we know the game is the best teacher,” Forde revealed.
The GFF boss went on to express an intention to improve on the tournament for next year’s edition.
“So, this is the first year, we’ve learnt some very important and valuable lessons. We will sit back after the dust is settled on this competition, we will analyse the data and we will improve the way the tournament is organised for the coming years.”
Meanwhile, Rupununi FA’s Challengers FC edged East Bank Football Association’s Friendship FC 4-3 in the third-place play-off, earlier on Sunday.
Kardoraro Johnny registered a brace while Marrison Miguel netted one and Kevon Daniels found the game winner for Challengers FC. Jermaine Fraser and Tyler Abrams were the goalscorers for Friendship FC.