Goalkeeping blunders aid Vergenoengen Secondary

— Digicel Schools Football C/ships

Vergenoegen Secondary overcame a one goal deficit compliments of poor goalkeeping to defeat Leonora Technical Institute (LTI) 3-1 when the Digicel Schools Football Championship continued yesterday at the Leonora Sports Facility.

Surrendering the lead in the sixth minute to a curling Jamal Haynes free-kick, the visitors grabbed the equaliser in the 60th minute as goalkeeper Jamaine Cumberbatch scored under fortuitous circumstances.

Awarded a spot-kick on the right side of the field, Cumberbatch unleashed a tame right foot shot which went through the grasp of the opposing custodian into the left side.

Ryan Hackett of Chase Academy (white/right) trying to maintain possession of the ball while being challenged by an opposing player during his team’s opening fixture in the Digicel Schools Football Championship at the Ministry of Education ground yesterday.
Ryan Hackett of Chase Academy (white/right) trying to maintain possession of the ball while being challenged by an opposing player during his team’s opening fixture in the Digicel Schools Football Championship at the Ministry of Education ground yesterday.

It was the first of three mistakes that was incurred by the LTI ‘shot-stopper’, with the second occurring six minutes later to hand the visitors the lead.

Chris Macey was the beneficiary as a hopeful strike from 26 yards out in the centre of the field, went through the hands of the custodian once again and into the left corner.

The horror show continued for the LTI goalkeeper in the 77th minute as Macey sealed the comeback result, crossing a right side corner-kick over the head of the ‘keeper’ into the left corner.

In Linden at the Wisburg Secondary School ground, Kwakwani Secondary edged Mackenzie High by a 1-0 margin. Jhevon Archer scored in the 76th minute.

Meanwhile in Georgetown, last year’s losing finalist Chase Academy dismantled the Guyana Education Trust College 10-1 at the Ministry of Education ground. Job Caesar scored a double in the 70th and 79th minute while Timothy Alberts scored in the 76th and 78th minute.

Assisting were Daniel Floy, Jeremy Garrett, Shamol Smith, Joshua Williams, Nicholas McArthur and Ryan Hackett who netted in the ninth, 28th, 32nd, 34th, 53rd and 69th minute respectively.

On target in the loss was Andrew Bennett in the 64th minute. Over at the Tucville ground, Sir Leon Lessons crushed Sophia Training Centre

Chase Academy Scorers posing for a photo opportunity following their lopsided win over the Guyana Education Trust College in the Digicel Schools Football Championship yesterday.
Chase Academy Scorers posing for a photo opportunity following their lopsided win over the Guyana Education Trust College in the Digicel Schools Football Championship yesterday.

by a 9-0 score line. The event will resume today with matches at several venues.

The championship which will be played in the traditional knockout format, will be staged in every region and will end on July 31st at the National Stadium in Providence.

Christianburg/Wismar Secondary has held a stranglehold on the event as they are current four time defending champions. The other victor of the most prestigious event in the country was Georgetown Technical Institute who won the inaugural event.

Winner of the event is slated to receive $1,000,000 toward the funding off a school project and the Championship trophy while the second place unit will receive $700,000 and the runners-up accolade.

The third and fourth placed unit will walk away $400,000 and $350,000 and the corresponding trophy. Similarly, $100,000 will be awarded to achieve zone winner.