Bush Lot Secondary secured their third consecutive Region #5 title in the Digicel Schools Football Championships, downing Novar Secondary 3-1 Friday at the Number 5 ground, West Coast Berbice.
It was disappointing performance from the challengers who seemed overwhelmed by the situation in front of a large gathering. Their uncertainty led to the champions taking the lead in the 30th minute through Kohdon Miller.
Racing into the right side of the box Miller, upon collecting a perfectly placed left side cross from Shaqueel DeHarte, blasted his right foot shot into the roof of the net.
Jason Wrong thought he had equalised in the 41st minute, slotting into the lower left corner from the center of the box, only to be adjudged offside by the assistant referee.
However, Bush Lot capitalised on their slice of luck as Tyrone Miller scored on the stroke of halftime in the 90 minute encounter.
Miller completed a perfect first half for the titlist, directing his powerful header into the top left corner, after rising high inside the centre of the box, to receive a right side corner-kick.
Although the struggles for Novar continued in the second period, Aubrey Joseph stood out amongst his teammates, posing a constant threat to the Bush Lot backline with his brilliant dribbling and vision.
Joseph almost pulled one back in the 54th minute, uncorking a right foot free-kick from 30 yards out in the centre of the field, which crashed into the crossbar, much to the relief of the opposing goalkeeper.
The diminutive midfielder would not be denied, scoring easily the goal of the tournament in the 61st minute to cut the deficit.
Controlling the ball brilliantly with his chest 30 yards out in the center of the field, Joseph unleashed a right foot thunderbolt into the lower right corner, giving the goalkeeper no chance.
Nonetheless, Bush Lot would not be denied from their third title, fashioning an instant reply through DeHarte in the 64th minute. Running into the left side of the area, the nippy midfielder lashed a left foot attempt into the top left corner.
With the win, Bush Lot will represent the zone at the National Championships. Meanwhile, Vryman’s Erven dismissed New Amsterdam Technical Institute 5-0 at the Burnham Park ground.
Sherwin Nicholson, Kejan Williams, Tierre Phillips, Tyrick Ogleton and Atua Austin netted in the fourth, 48th, 63rd, 65th and 69th minute respectively.
Defending national champion Chase Academy too won their match defeating Queenstown Secondary 16-0 at the Georgetown Football Club (GFC) ground, Bourda while Sir Leon Lessons crushed the Business School by a 6-0 margin.
At the Beterverwagting (BV) ground, Institute of Business Education (IBE) schooled Plaisance 9-1. Over at the Grove Community Ground, Soesdyke downed Institute of Professional Education (IPE) 2-0.
