Jahmal Prentice flicks the ball over Riley Christopher’s despairing dive for the winner in the U12 Final. Photo credit: Charlie E. Jackson/VINO
A huge crowd of family, fans, friends and rival teams witnessed one of the most incredible Finals in BDO School League history on Saturday May 31, 2014, as only a wonder goal could separate First Impressions U12’s from Joyce Samuel Primary School at the A.O. Shirley Ground.
It is rare that a contender for Goal of the Season actually happens in a final, but the Prentice boys, Jalen and Jahmal, conjured up a piece of Football magic that was not only worthy of the accolade, but also handed First Impressions a winner in a 3-2 victory over defending U12 Champions Joyce Samuel Primary School as the BVIFA BDO School League climaxed on Saturday.
For the older generation the goal was created out of Dutch “Total Football” folklore, a fitting analogy as both play in Orange and it would be no surprise had the drag back and pass from Jalen Prentice been Johann Cruyff, the Dutch Master, passing to Johnny Rep in 1974.
For the newer generation read Ronaldo to Benzema, Suarez to Stirling or even Aguero to Dzeko.
Taking a pass from Guillaume Parkins into his stride Jalen dragged the ball from left to right and flicked a pass from behind his body into the JSPS penalty box. Brother Jahmal reacted first and deftly lifted the ball over the diving Riley Christopher with the outside of his boot to send the ball curling into the net.
That it took such a moment of brilliance from FIPS to secure a hard fought win was testament to how well JSPS had played during the final, which saw them recover from going a goal down, scored by Parkins, to go 2-1 up early in the second half.
Giovanni Grant leveled the game in the 17th minute and then Christopher scored direct from a clearance to put JSPS ahead. Parkins then scored his second, from the penalty spot, despite Christopher making a valiant effort to block the powerfully struck shot and during the last five minutes both teams had chances to score, but with defenses at both ends staying resolute it took a moment of magic to determine the destination of the Trophy and when it mattered most, up popped the Prentice Boys.
The BDO and LIME School Leagues Grand Finale had begun with the High School Girls of Elmore Stoutt High School overcoming a Begrado Flax Educational Centre Combined team 1-0 thanks to a close range strike from the very promising “Lala.”
The LIME Boys game between ESHS and BFEC then remained deadlocked at 0-0 before the BDO U7 Primary School Final took centre stage.
Althea Scatliffe Primary School took full advantage of their penalty shoot out prowess to defeat Begrado Flax 3-2 in a sudden death shoot out after the game ended 0-0.
ASPS had reached the semi finals with a win on Penalties and also claimed their spot in the Final with a similar win over Robinson O’Neal Primary before K’ Jari Thomas kept a cool head to fire home the winner in the final.
Jahari Lacey and Keshawn Martin also scored for ASPS, while Jaden Abrahams and Emanuel Etienne were successful for BFEC.
In the U9 Final FIPS raced into a 2-0 lead over Cedar Green courtesy of a Nathan Adams opener in the 10th minute and a Jalen Prentice strike in the 15th minute.
Azarni Callwood pulled one back via a long range shot for Cedar in the 25th minute, but FIPS held on to secure their first Trophy of the day.
The U12 Final then proved the true value of the commitment of BDO to support the BVIFA in fostering talent at youth level and with the support of LIME the developmental stages for young footballers are well and truly set, with the only outcome a talented group of youngsters that will represent the Territory with pride and honour for years to come.
