Montego Bay claim Hosanna under-12 title

MONTEGO BAY Preparatory School emerged as proud first-time champions of the Hosanna Preparatory School 25th Anniversary Under-12 Co-Ed Football Competition on Wednesday.

In a thrilling final, MoBay Prep defeated Fairfield International Academy School 2-1 to secure the victory.

In the third-place playoff, a brace from Kysonal McPherson and a goal from Joshuan Campbell saw Eber Preparatory edge out Mary’s Preparatory, who also had a brace from Maliq Salmon. The game ended 3-2.

Title-winning coach, Bennyon Burchell, lauded his team’s attitude.

“The boys have an appetite for victory,” said Burchell.

“The competition was a good platform for the boys to grow. It gave them exposure for greater and preparations for tournaments ahead. The boys played excellently and they were quite entertaining. Patrons enjoyed it because it was like a Premier League match. The stars on the team have shown the ability to go to the national team one day. I am very happy to have won the title. It is my first year getting the opportunity to train them. They are very competitive and they do not settle easily,” he added.

The competition, which had nine preparatory schools enter, was built on the idea of building synergy within prep schools. Both teams are first-timers to the competition.

In the meantime, Fairfield coach Raymond White said despite the loss, the team’s effort was remarkable.

“I am extremely proud of the players. The fact that we made it to the final unbeaten. It is just unfortunate that we didn’t get the win. I believe in the first half; we did not execute the game plan in terms of urgency and attacking the ball. We were kind of too defensive but when going two goals down, my boys turned on the engine and got one goal back,” Burchell said.

Continuing, he added, “Time was our enemy and unfortunately, we couldn’t get an equaliser. It was a good game overall and, trust me, I am definitely proud of them. I am looking forward to next year.”

In the 60-minute final, all goals came in the second half.

MoBay Prep’s Dyllon Troupe opened the scoring in the 35th minute when a clearance from his goalkeeper went the length of the field, only for the opposing custodian to mishandle, allowing the attacker to quickly take advantage.

In the 45th minute, MoBay doubled the lead through Mason Smith, who used his pace to get by his markers before scoring.

Fairfield, who refused to give up, fought hard and in the 50th minute, Adam Spencer gave them hope with his strike.

Despite facing a revived Fairfield, MoBay kept their advantage through stout defending.

Troupe won the tournament’s golden boot with 11 goals and his teammate Deandre Jones earned the golden gloves.

Fairfield International’s Spencer was adjudged the Most Valuable Player.