Vergenoegen Secondary overcame Leonora Secondary 4-3 on sudden death penalty kicks after normal time ended 0-0 when the sixth annual Digicel Secondary Schools Football Championships continued yesterday at the Leonora Sports Facility.
In front of a sizeable crowd of mostly students, the home side got off to the worst possible start as they were denied by the diving custodian to his left when the shootout commenced.
However, Vergenoegen failed to capitalise on their opponent’s failure as they also missed from the distance compliments of a brilliant save by the goalkeeper to his left.
The second round mirrored the first for Leonora with the goalkeeper denying them once more. This time Vergenoegen took advantage of their foe’s failure, converting into the lower left corner to lead 1-0.
The score became 2-1 in the third round as both teams scored from the spot. Leonora then equalised the contest as they netted to start the fourth round.
The visitors then handed the hosts a lifeline as they missed from the spot in their fourth attempt to leave the score at 2-2. Sudden death kicks were required to settle the contest as both teams scored in the fifth round.
Momentum in the fixture changed sides once more as Leonora missed from the mark the ball going high over the crossbar, handing the visitors the opportunity to seal the contest which they duly did.
Prior to the end, Symeon Petrie was presented with a great chance to give the home side the lead in the 25th minute.
Latching onto a loose ball inside the box and in a one on one situation, he fired his effort wide of the goal.
Similarly, Kevin Ward was denied by the Vergenoegen custodian in the 55th minute. Racing into the area he unleashed a left foot shot while fighting off the challenge of his marker, only to see his effort smothered by the advancing goalkeeper.
At the Tucville ground, Houston Secondary gained a walkover from North Ruimveldt while at the Ministry of Education ground, the Guyana Industrial Training Centre too gained a walkover from Christ Church Secondary.
In Linden at the Wisburg ground, Mackenzie High School edged hosts Wisburg Secondary 1-0 at the Wisburg School ground. Meanwhile, in Berbice at the Skeldon ground, JC Chandisingh Secondary crushed Central Corentyne 4-1.
Action in the event is slated to continue today from 15:30hrs at several venues. The championships, which will be played in the traditional knockout format, will be staged in every region and will conclude on July 31st at the National Stadium in Providence.
Christianburg/Wismar Secondary has held a stranglehold on the event as they are current four-time defending champions. The other victor of the most prestigious event in the country was Georgetown Technical Institute who won the inaugural event.
The winner of the event is set to receive $1,000,000 toward the funding off a school project and the Championship trophy while the second place unit will receive $700,000 and the runners-up accolade.
The third and fourth placed unit will walk away $400,000 and $350,000 and the corresponding trophy. Similarly, $100,000 will be awarded to achieve zone winner.
