A second half hat-trick from Rahul Archer propelled Santa Rosa Secondary to a 4-0 win over Karaburi when the Region One zone of the Digicel Schools Football Championships continued yesterday at the Kumaka Community ground.
The home side, aided by a mammoth crowd, overcame a spirited performance from the visitors to clinch the result under soggy conditions. Captain Archer scored in the 55th, 60th and 76th minute following a scoreless first half.
Assisting with a 70th minute conversion was Deon Gomes. Santa Rosa Secondary will now travel to Mabaruma to face-off with the winner of the Port Kaituma and Matthews Ridge encounter.
The home fashioned the first chance in the 10th minute of a keenly contested half as Lance Atkinson directed his unchallenged header, from inside the six yard box just over the crossbar, following a right side corner-kick.
Archer also came close to breaking the deadlock in the 27th minute, unleashing a thunderous strike from 30 yards out in the center of the field which was tipped over the crossbar by the goalkeeper.
Next Karaburi evoked moments of anxiety from the home fans with Roddy John lashing his effort narrowly over the crossbar from the top of the penalty area in the 19th minute.
John continued to be threat to the home side in the 50th minute, firing his effort wide of the right corner from inside the right of the box, with only the advancing goalkeeper in his path.
Archer finally broke the deadlock in a lopsided second half, sending the crowd into a frenzy, as he raced onto a through pass inside the box, before firing his attempt under the body of the advancing goalkeeper.
He made his presence felt once more, rifling a right foot shot from the top of the box into the lower right corner. Gomes then got into the scoring act, slotting into the centre of the net, after collecting a flat cross from the left side.
The result was completed when Archer registered his third conversion, placing his right foot strike into the lower right corner of the net from outside the left of the area.
Meanwhile, Christianburg/Wismar Secondary defeated New Silver City 2-0 at the Wisburg School ground, to clinch their seventh consecutive final’s berth in the Region 10 section.
