Defending champions Chase Academy created a bit of history Saturday by successfully retaining their crown in the final of the 4th Annual Milo Schools U20 football championships, dismantling former winner Lodge Secondary 9-0.
It was a lopsided contest at the Ministry of Education ground as the Parade Street unit commenced a dynasty led by a helmet-trick from Kelsey Benjamin in the 26th, 47th, 58th and 66th minutes. Assisting were Ralph Parris who netted a double in the 12th and 40th minutes, Ryan Hackett, who secured a brace in the 24th and 50th minutes and Sunil Logan who scored a solo effort in the 82nd minute.
With the win, Chase Academy retained the championship trophy while walking away with $500,000 towards a school project. The runners-up pocketed the second place accolade and $300,000 towards the funding of a school project.
When play commenced Saturday, the holders picked up right where they left off from the 6-0 hammering of South Ruimveldt in the semi-final as Parris opened the scoring with a powerful strike into the lower left corner from within the area.
Hackett then made it 2-0, 12 minutes onward compliments of a left foot strike into the roof of the net from the top of the box.
The carnage continued two minutes onward as Benjamin opened his account with a strike from the left side of the box into the top left corner.
Parris pushed the score line to 4-0 five minutes before the end of the half-time period, slotting home into the centre of the net from the centre of the box.
Upon the resumption of the contest, the rout continued as Benjamin finished into the lower right corner from the centre of the area to seal his second of the evening.
Hackett then sealed his brace to push the score line to 6-0 compliments of a strike from the right side of the box into the roof of the net. With the championship already decided following their first half exploits, Benjamin recorded a further two more goals to seal his tally while substitute Logan netted to cap off the fine team performance.
Meanwhile, in the earlier third place playoff, South Ruimveldt defeated Queen’s College 2-0. Cecil Jackman and Adrian Aaron scored in the 22nd and 23rd minute respectively.
Due to the win, South Ruimveldt walked away with 200,000 towards the funding of a school project and the respective trophy while Queen’s College collected the fourth place accolade and $100,000 towards the funding of a school initiative.
In the individual section of the presentation Hackett was awarded the Most Valuable Player trophy while the Highest Goal Scorer accolade went to Benjamin with eight goals.
Also the Best Goal Keeper trophy was won by Kevis Fraser of Chase Academy, with only one goal conceded in the entire event. Similarly, Vurlon Mills of Chase Academy copped the Best Coach Award. Also the Most Disciplined Team accolade was won by Mae’s Secondary.
Meeting the teams prior to commencement of the final were Milo Brand Manager Renita Seethal, Petra Organization Co-Director Troy Mendonca, Dr. Dennis Bassier of the Ministry of Public Health, Ministry of Education representative Nicolas Fraser and Guyana Football Federation Vice-President Rawlston Adams. The opening kick-off was done by Seethal.
