Lodge Secondary dethroned defending champions St. George’s High, edging them 1-0 in the finale of the Milo/Petra Organization u-20 tourney yesterday at the Ministry of Education ground, Carifesta Avenue.
Lodge Secondary almost broke the early deadlock in the 19th minute through a powerfully struck Orlando Gravesande flat right footed effort from inside the centre of the box that forced a smart save Royston Dublin low to his left.
The defending champions should have taken the lead through Robby McCloggan in the 35th minute. Racing onto a through pass from the centre of the midfield, McCloggan in a one-on-one situation with the advancing Lodge keeper, would strike his tame effort straight into his path.
Lodge would punish St. George’s for their earlier miss as Ryan Hackett broke the deadlock in the 36th minute with a right footed pile-driver into the bottom of the net from within the left side of the area, after St. Georges failed to properly clear a Gravesande left sided cross.
Another great opportunity would go a begging for St. George’s to level the scores in the 57th minute as McCloggan was denied at point blank range by the onrushing keeper once again just outside the centre of the 18 yard box.
Luck would continue to evade the defending champions as a Jermin Scott strike from the centre of the box in the 67th minute, came cannoning off the right upright.
Fortune would continue to favour the challengers as Scott missed the final chance to level the score in the 85th minute, slashing his strike high over the crossbar from within the centre of the six yard box, after latching on a shot that deflected off the left upright.
Lodge Secondary for their hard-fought win, received $500,000 towards the building of any school project as well as the respective championship trophy and medals. St. Georges for their showing collected $300,000 as well as the second place trophy and silver medals.
In the earlier third place matchup, Dolphin Secondary led by a Dakshawn Matthews double in the 23rd and 47th minutes defeated Christ Church by a 2-0 score line.
With the win, Dolphin Secondary claimed the third place title and respective medals. They also will receive $200,000 towards the building of any school project. Christ Church for their efforts, received the corresponding fourth placed trophy and $100,000 towards the building of any school project.
During the presentation ceremony, Queenstown Secondary was adjudged to be the most disciplined team. They received a trophy for their showing. In the individual awards, Jamal Scott of Lodge was adjudged to be the event’s most valuable player.
He received the respective trophy and a pair of football cleats. The highest goal scorer award was won by Carmel Secondary’s Marlon Nedd with eight conversions. He received a pair of football cleats and the corresponding accolade for his efforts.
Dublin of St. Georges Secondary was adjudged to be the event best shot-stopper. He received a trophy and a pair of goalkeeping gloves. Leon Bishop of new crowned champions was presented with the best coach award.
Prior to the commencement of the event, a workshop in collaboration with the Ministry of Heath was hosted to highlight the issues and plight surrounding gender violence.
