Strikes from the diminutive duo of Carl Griffith in the 20th minute and Jeremy Garrett in the 41st powered North Ruimveldt Secondary to a hard fought 2-1 victory over a obstinate St. Winifred’s Secondary in the latest Milo U20 school fixtures.
Kicking off at the Ministry of Education Ground, Carifesta Avenue, the customary pledge of support by opposition captains was duly noted as the fight against gender violence is the tournament’s true calling as both skippers shared succinct avowals in support of the said cause.
The first half opened on a cagey manner as both teams jostled for the early ascendency. Tentative play by both camps was conspicuously apparent as broken plays and mistimed passes littered the early exchanges, hindering the free flowing nature of the game.
Tefon Daly playing in the traditional ‘enganche’ position started to dictate proceedings with his crisp passing, driving the beast (offense) as the North Ruimveldt unit began to find their attacking rhythm. Gaining confidence from their new-found domination, a wonderfully worked move in the 20th minute was expertly capped off by Griffith sending the North Ruimveldt faithful into jubilation. The complexion of the game changed as both teams attacked feverishly one to try and consolidate its position to other to get on level terms.
North Ruimveldt almost added to their lead on the stroke of half time only to found wanting in the attacking third.
The second half started in a frenetic fashion with St. Winifred throwing bodies forward in search of the all important equalizer. North Ruimveldt, through the marauding runs from full back Garrett, constantly found space in the wider areas. The back and forth action continued with the boys from Mandela adding to their lead in the 61st minute compliments of a brilliant solo run and finish from the rampaging Garrett to send the small mass into a frenzy.
Impelled by their vocal throng, St. Winifred’s pulled one back in the dying stages of the game compliments of a Andrew O’Donoghue spot kick in the 88th minute after a reckless challenge by a member of the North Ruimveldt unit in the penalty area setting up a tense final minutes. Robust defending by the North outfit backline ensured the lead stayed intact as the final whistle sounded sending mixed emotions through the respective camps.
In the opening fixtures, tournament powerhouse Lodge Secondary defeated David Rose Secondary 4-2 compliments of Travis Simpson double in the 37th & 59th minutes while Kevin Boters netted in the 18th and Sherwin Joseph in the 32nd.
For the losers Roshawn Nicks was on target in the 63rd and 68th minutes in a losing cause and Dolphin’s Secondary hammer an abject Guyana Education Trust College 7-2 compliments of a Shamar Wilson hat trick in the 59th, 65th and 67th minutes while getting capable support from Daniel Griffith, Leon Richardson, Toquwan Clarke and Milton Henry in the 14th, 33rd, 50th and 54th minute respectively to conclude the day’s scheduled fixtures.
