Semi-finals line-up decided

— Milo/Petra Organisation Secondary Schools U20 football

Chase Academy setup a highly anticipated semi-final fixture with Morgan Learning Centre defeating Queenstown 4-2 in the quarterfinal round when the third annual Milo/Petra Organization Secondary Schools u-20 football tourney continued Saturday.

Played at the Ministry of Education ground on Carifesta Avenue, Marlon Nedd opened the scoring for the Parade Street institution in the seventh minute with a finish past the advancing goalkeeper from the left side of the box into the lower right corner.

It would then become 2-0 in the 12th minute as Jeremy Garrett scored with a thunderbolt of a strike. Earning a free kick 26 yards from goal on the right side of the field, Garrett would unleash a powerful right-footed strike that sailed into the roof of the right corner. Kelsey Benjamin would eventually pull one back for Queenstown 12 minutes onward, volleying his flat effort from 22 yards out into the centre of the field, past the despairing dive of the custodian into the lower left side of the net.

Keith Caines of Chase Academy (right) on the attack while being pursued by his Queenstown Secondary marker during his side’s quarterfinal victory
Keith Caines of Chase Academy (right) on the attack while being pursued by his Queenstown Secondary marker during his side’s quarterfinal victory

However, Chase Academy would restore their two-goal cushion in the 44th minute, after an attempted Barrow cross from the left side of the field sailed over the head of the ‘keeper and settled into the right hand corner.

The goals would continue for the Parade Street outfit who scored in the 66th minute through a clinical Simeon Moore header into the right hand corner, after he latched onto a left sided corner kick within the centre of the area.

Taking the fight to the opponent’s singlehandedly, Benjamin would eventually cut the deficit to two for Queenstown one minute onward, curling a left footed free kick into the right hand corner from 22 yards out in the centre of the field.

With the win, Chase Academy will now lock horns with Morgan Learning Centre who trounced newcomers St. Joseph’s 5-1.

Wayne Murray led the way for the winners with a double in the 68th and 78th minutes while Ronaldo Dover, Travis Biardis and Toquan Clarke scored in the 16th, 21st and 35th minutes respectively. Scoring in the loss was Dwight Ferguson in the 24th minute.

Similarly sealing a semi-final’s berth was Lodge Secondary who squeaked past St. Mary’s High 1-0. Ryan Hackett proved to be the difference between the two sides as he netted in a 91st minute through a sublime left-footed strike from the left side of the field into the right hand corner.

Due to the win, Lodge Secondary will now faceoff with Dolphin Secondary who downed North Ruimveldt 2-0. Leon Richardson and Joshua Brown scored in the 24th and 70th minutes respectively.

Winners of the event will pocket the championship trophy and $500,000 towards the building of any school project while the second, third and fourth placed sides will pocket $300,000, $200,000 and $100,000 respectively towards the funding of a school venture and the corresponding accolade.

On the individual side, awards will be given for the event’s most valuable player, highest goal scorer and best goal keeper while four full scholarships to attend Chase Academy free of cost will also be up for grabs. The semi-final round will commence at the same venue on Thursday.