2 days ago
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EXCELSIOR HIGH School extended their reign in the ISSA TIP Friendly Society Schoolgirls football competition, claiming their ninth straight title with the 1-0 defeat of Holmwood Technical High School in the final yesterday at Stadium East.
Captain Destiny Powell scored the all-important goal for the ‘Eagles’, converting a penalty in the 49th minute of the contest.
It was the challengers who started the better of the two, however, as Holmwood pressed for the opening goal immediately upon kick-off.
The Manchester-based school came close to scoring when Jamara Jones struck the post in the fifth minute, before Kiana Ferguson’s follow-up crashed off the crossbar.
Holmwood’s striker Abbie Kaye Reid would prove a nuisance for Excelsior’s defence in the first half, her blistering pace continuously putting her through on goal.
However, Reid failed to capitalise on her opportunities, with her best chance coming in the 27th minute. Through on goal, Reid dragged her shot wide of the mark.
Excelsior grew into the game during the second half and almost immediately got on the score sheet after the restart.
Powell was brought down in the box and the Excelsior marksman would step up and make no mistakes from 12 yards, firing her team into the lead.
Just past the hour mark, Powell came close again, this time her free kick was tipped on to the bar before being recovered by Holmwood’s outstanding goalkeeper, Brihana Staple.
Holmwood’s afternoon would further spiral into chaos as Jones was shown a straight red card in the 71st minute when she pulled on the hair of Excelsior’s defender Dejaunae Lewis.
Maurice Duncan, head coach of Holmwood, was then shown the yellow card by referee Odette Hamilton for dissent just a few minute after.
Excelsior’s head coach Xavier Gilbert said while he is happy with the title, he was disappointed with the team’s performance in the first half.
“I’m very disappointed in how we played that first half, especially in some individuals in particular. I thought we were much better, but we didn’t show that today,” he said after the game.
“I’m happy that we won, however. Some of the players were a little bit nervous — it is their first time playing in a final and at the start of the game they were a little bit nervous, and I think that filtered down to the other players.”
In the first match of the afternoon, Garvey Maceo High School won the third-place match as they defeated Merl Grove High School 3-1 in their contest.
Goals from Sajane Anderson (38th), Jully-Ann Howard (61st) and Sara Needham in time-added led the way for Garvey Maceo.
Breanna Marr’s opening goal for Merl Grove in the 11th minute proved to be a consolation effort.
Yesterday’s results
Excelsior 1-0 Holmwood Technical
Garvey Maceo 3-1 Merl Grove
English (US) ·