The opening match of this year’s KFC Goodwill Schools Football tournament saw Chase Academy cruise to a 5-2 win over St Ignatius Secondary at the Queen’s College Ground on Thomas Lands.
Led by four goals from the tenacious captain Bryan Wharton, Chase Academy issued an ominous warning to the other contenders with a ruthless performance.
Chase Academy dominated possession in the opening 25 minutes before taking the lead through some good work from the midfield which Wharton finished in the 27th minute. However almost immediately St Ignatius equalized through some good fortune as the defender and goalkeeper misjudged a lob from Stephan Sprosta as the ball rolled through and into the back of the net.
However, Chase showed resolve and relied on their superb passing and clinical finishing to move ahead 2-1 with Wharton again finding the back of the net in the 30th minute.
More drama unfolded after a long ball over the top from St. Ignatius saw St Ignatius No. 10 race through on goal one on one with the Chase Academy custodian. The goalie went for ball and the referee deemed it an illegal tackle resulting in a penalty. However, St Ignatius could not capitalize and missed the resulting penalty kick.
Not long after, Chase Academy resumed normal service with possession and forged ahead 3-1 as Wharton completed a first half hat-trick. The score remained the same with Chase Academy creating a few more chances but could not add to their lead by the halftime whistle.
Upon resumption, more of the same continued but St Ignatius would score a free kick against the run of play, The Chase Academy custodian and the defensive wall were wrongly positioned as skipper Caio Paul took full advantage to shoot at first post with success to give his side a fighting chance at 3-2 in the 47th minute.
As though answering a challenge, Wharton stepped up to take a freekick from 15 yards out in the midfield area and duly obliged with his fourth goal of the game, a wonderful curling effort in the 51st minute.
Despite Chase Academy holding the upper hand for much of the game, some entertaining football was on display and St Ignatius showed fighting spirit and dug deep in defense. However in the closing minutes, Wharton produced a mazy slalom down the right wing to lay it off for Omar Sam to poke home with ease to extend the deficit to 5-1 in the 75th minute. That would be the last action in terms of goals as the game petered out with Chase’s supporters cheering their every pass.
Meanwhile in the second match of the day at the same venue, Clarendon College of Jamaica shook off jetlag to see off Bartica Secondary 3-0.
Nicholy Forbes scored once and Chevon Watson bagged a brace, as the Jamaican side displayed calm and composure on the ball amid Bartica’s frenzied play.
