Combermere win schools' football title

by Anmar Goodridge-Boyce

Combermere Clinched the Barbados Secondary Schools’ Under 19 football league title despite being held to a nervy 1-1 draw at Massiah Street.

The Waterford, St Michael boys needing only a point to secure the cup, were gifted a first half lead when Lamar Catlyn found the back of his own net in the fifth minute.

Nathan Skeete whipped a dangerous free-kick into the box from 20 yards out and Catlyn in an effort to clear his lines booted past Joshua James in the Lodge goal.

Combermere, like the school motto says were up and on but seconds later referee Clifton Garnes reduced them to 10 men, dismissing Shaquanie Phillips in an encounter where a total of five players received cautions.

The numerical advantage seemed to be of little help to Lodge as James was forced to make a double save with Ajani Straughn poised to give Combermere a two-goal lead.

As the game grew old, frustration filled the Society air as Lodge failed to convert a number of chances on a bleakly evening where they needed to win to lift the trophy in-front of the home faithful.

The equaliser came three minutes from normal time, as 14-year-old Shakeri Blades, the youngest player on the field and Lodge’s top scorer slotted home from close range to set up a dramatic finale.

Captain Roshon “Speedy” Gittens delivered a tantalising ball to the edge of the area which evaded the Combermere defence and Blades, under pressure supremely kept his composure to stare a right footed shot around six footer Nathaniel “ Big Nate” Knight.

It sent the home fans into frenzy but the damage was already done as Combermere held on to get sweet revenge.

“This is a tremendous feeling. It is a case where I have been working with these boys from the time they were eleven years old. We came second in a number of tournaments and this is their first school title. We expected Lodge to come at us a little bit more so we wanted to hit them on the counter,” coach Marlon Harte said.

“We went a man down so having scored the goal the objective was to maintain possession and play our normal way. The red card was very disappointing but if you want to win you have to do it the right way and concentrate on the tactics at hand. We were successful, this is huge considering the work we have done. We are a football force once again. Hopefully we can continue this,” he added.

Captain Devonte Richards also praised the efforts of his fellow team mates.

“ I think the boys worked really hard and we came out victorious. Lodge beat us in the knockout tournament so we really wanted to beat them on their home soil. They celebrated on us at Combermere so we want to come up to Lodge and show them and fortunately for us we got the result.”

Lodge Coach Corey Barrow said his boys will now turn their attention towards winning the Under 19 Knockout title.

“We knew it was going to be a very intense game. The boys are disappointed they did not win the league but we are targeting the knockout, congrats to Combermere.”