Under 13 champions, Cedar Green. Photo: Charlie E Jackson/VINO

Under 7 Champions, Begrado Flax Primary School. Photo: Charlie E Jackson/VINO

Under 9 champions, Cedar Green. Photo: Charlie E Jackson/VINO

Staged for the first time on the field shared by both Althea Scatliffe and Enid Scatliffe Primary Schools and in front of a huge crowd of children, family and football fans, this year’s championship games proved the most competitive yet, with crunching tackles, super shots, scintillating saves and nerve wracking conclusions for players and parents alike.

Robinson O'Neal & Bregado Flax battle to penalties

The U7’s of Robinson O’Neal and Bregado Flax were on the field first and both displayed disciplined defense with individual moments of skill, but neither side was able to beat the goal keepers. As the final whistle blew, the game remained deadlocked at nil-nil and the teams then faced penalty shoot outs.

Begrado Flax showed the greater resolve and ran out the winners.

Jaden Quashie won the Golden Boot with 22 goals throughout the season, while Kyle Alexander received the Golden Glove and Drekaily Findlay the MVP.

“Both teams had a game plan and before the penalties, they both did their job,” commented coach of the teams, Thomas Albert. “Once you get to a shoot-out situation, it can go either way on the day and I spoke to them about the possibility yesterday and told them just to try their best and not worry about who would win or lose as they are all worthy champions”

All Cedar clash!

In the U9’s, it was an all Cedar School clash as the “Greens” took on the “whites”.

Alex Fountain opened the scoring in the 9^th minute; however, Azarni Callwood equalised just four minutes later and the “Greens” regained the lead in the 23^rd minute, with a cool finish by Ryan Lettsome. The lead, however, lasted just six minutes as Gethin Jones struck to send the game into a penalty shoot out.

Cedar Green kept their cool and ran out 4-3 winners.

Fountain just pipped Callwood to the Golden Boot while Jaden Abrams grabbed the Golden Gloves award and Ryan Lettsome the MVP.

“Congratulations to both teams, who played wonderfully throughout the season to reach the final,” commented John Riley, Cedar School’s Director of Football Development. “In my eyes it finished 2-2, with penalty kicks not really coming into it. Well done to the winners, it was an exceptional game with both teams trying to play football and listening to their coaches.”

Cedar hold nerves in penalty shoot-out with 'Mighty Mighty' Scatliffe

The Under-13 final between Althea Scatliffe and Cedar proved another cut and thrust affair with two evenly matched teams only separated, ultimately, by the penalty shoot out.

Full time ended 1-1, but Cedar survived the tension to lift the Championship with Lawton Green named MVP, Bradford Green the Golden Glove winner and Luca Reich winning the Golden Boot.

Mr Andy Bickerton, representing BDO, made the presentations and not even the rain could dampen the celebrations by all the teams and award winners.