Young ballers schooled, Old School Ballers rule

Queen Street Tiger Bay, Tucville and Globe Yard were among the winners when the Petra Organization Soft Shoe football tournament kicked off yesterday at the Santos Training area, Square of the Revolution.

Witnessed by a small crowd which braved the wet conditions, Queen Street defeated Broad Street 2-0.

Darren Harris opened the scoring in the ninth minute, unleashing a powerful strike from the left side of the field which went through the grasp of the goalkeeper and settled into the back of the net.

 Job Caesar of Cross Street (left) trying to maintain possession of the ball while being challenged by an Old School Ballers defender during their matchup at the Santos Training Area in the Ministry of Health/Petra Soft Shoe Championship.
Job Caesar of Cross Street (left) trying to maintain possession of the ball while being challenged by an Old School Ballers defender during their matchup at the Santos Training Area in the Ministry of Health/Petra Soft Shoe Championship.

The fixture was then put to bed in the 20th minute as Deon Alfred scored, finishing through the legs of the goalkeeper in the centre of the net, from outside the centre of the penalty box.

In other results, Tucville schooled Young Ballers 3-0. Tefon Daly broke the deadlock in the third minute with a left side finish down the centre of the net.

Dennis Edwards made it 2-0 in the 12th minute, slotting home into the right side of the goal after collecting a flat left-side pass from Kareem Knights

The score line was sealed two minutes later as Knights found the back of the net with a powerful finish into the lower right corner from the centre of the field.

In a closely fought contest, Globe Yard edged Bent Street 2-1.

Following a scoreless opening half, Globe Yard grabbed the lead in the 12th minute as Andrew Murray Jr., scored from the penalty mark.

Globe Yard’s lead was increased as Murray Jr., netted his second with a right foot attempt into the centre of the net in the 14th minute.

Bent Street eventually pulled one back in the 17th minute as Cassmus DeSantos scored, placing his effort into the right side of the net.

Terrence Lewis (right) of Old School Ballers trying to initiate an attacking play while being watched closely by Job Caesar of Cross Street during the opening fixture of the Ministry of Health/Petra Soft Shoe Championship at the Santos Training Area at the Square of the Revolution.
Terrence Lewis (right) of Old School Ballers trying to initiate an attacking play while being watched closely by Job Caesar of Cross Street during the opening fixture of the Ministry of Health/Petra Soft Shoe Championship at the Santos Training Area at the Square of the Revolution.

Defending champions Sparta Boss won by walkover from California Square while Sophia also gained a walkover from Holmes Street Tiger Bay.

Also in winners’ row was Old School Ballers who edged Cross Street Werk-en-Rust 1-0 with Leon Grumble netting  in the fourth minute.

Action in the event is slated to continue on Monday at the same venue with another six fixtures.

The event, which is set to conclude June 18th, will feature 24 community based teams competing in an initial group stage format. Matches for the event will be staged at the Tucville, West Ruimveldt and Santos grounds, while entrance to the venues will be free.

Upon the conclusion of the group stage, the top two finishers from each group along with the four best third place finishers will advance to the knockout round.

The competing teams are defending champ Sparta Boss, Back Circle, Campbellville, West Back Road, Charlestown, Bent Street, Old School Ballers, Cross Street Werk-en-Rust, Stevedore Housing Scheme, Sophia, Holmes Street- Tiger Bay, California Square, West Front Road, Queen Street Tiger Bay, Broad Street, Upsetters, East Front Road, North Ruimveldt, Alexander Village, Leopold Street, Channel 9, North East La Penitence, Albouystown and Globe Yard.

Winner of the event will collect $300,000 and the Championship trophy while the second placed side will receive $200,000 and the runners-up accolade.

The third placed side will receive $100,000 and the respective trophy while the fourth place finishers will pocket $50,000 and the corresponding title.

Other sponsors of the event include the Ministry of Public Health, GTT, Lucky Dollar, Nigel Supermarket, Junior’s Jewellery, Star Party Rentals and 2-J’s General Store.