Saltus Grammar School’s Under-13 boys’ team prevented Whitney Institute from making a clean sweep of top honours during last Friday’s Middle Schools Knockout Finals at the National Sports Centre.

Jair Minors’ sudden-death penalty kick ultimately separated the two teams who had remained deadlocked at one goal apiece at the end of regulation time.

After a scoreless first half, Whitney stormed ahead shortly after the restart through a gem of a goal from Zeon Robinson who slammed home a free kick from outside the 18-yard box into the top right hand corner, leaving ‘keeper Dale Eve clutching at thin air.

But instead of building on their lead, Whitney were forced on the defensive as Saltus regrouped and piled on the pressure in search of an equaliser.

Minors, Menilik Rudo and match MVP Zeiko Lewis all came close, but the Pembroke school were forced to wait until the final five minutes before their resurgence finally paid off.

A Lewis free kick directed into the penalty area was met by the thunderous boot of Ian Simmons who buried his shot through a thicket of legs in a goalmouth scramble.

Saltus then completed their come-from-behind 5-4 win on penalties as Minors converted from the spot after Whitney’s Thayne Simons had missed his team’s fifth and final kick.

Eve was later chosen as MVP for Whitney.

However, there would no denying Whitney in the inaugural Girls Middle School Knockout Final as they won 3-1 over Sandys.

Whitney prevailed via a Kelechia Jones brace and an Andesha Busby late second-half free kick.

Teara Thomas netted Sandys’ consolation to make amends for an earlier penalty miss that might have changed the complexion of the match had she converted.

Whitney took the lead midway through the first half when Jones waltzed past several defenders in the penalty area and effortlessly slotted the ball home.

The Smith’s parish school nearly doubled their lead when Eden Smith’s 20-yard effort crashed onto the woodwork.

Sandys missed a golden opportunity to get back into contention early in the second half when they were awarded a penalty. But Thomas dragged her effort wide of the post.

And Jones made Sandys pay dearly by grabbing her second goal of the match to stretch Whitney’s lead to two.

Sandys, however, did manage to reduce the deficit when Thomas capitalised on a brilliant solo run deep in Whitney territory.

Their joy, though, would be shortlived as Busby’s free kick killed off any hopes of a Sandys fightback.

Sandys ‘keeper Henria Brooks and Whitney’s two-goal hero Jones were the recipients of MVP honours after the match.

In the Boys’ Over-13 final, Whitney thrashed Dellwood Middle School 4-1.

Kashi Davis netted twice while Omari Outerbridge and Rahkai Paul rounded off Whitney’s convincing win.

Darrion Simons replied for a Dellwood school now mourning the death of deputy principal Ray Smith.

The Pembroke school have planned a memorial service today for the late educator and former middleweight boxer.

Whitney entered the match as favourites, and they certainly didn’t disappoint despite falling behind to Simons’ 25-yard free kick that soared into the roof of the net.

Whitney’s Outerbridge then levelled the scores just before the half after completing a superb solo run.

Davis gave Whitney the lead for good early in the second half when he latched onto a loose ball in the penalty area and buried his effort.

Dellwood threatened to equalise minutes later. But Tre’ Ming could only find the upright after rounding the Whitney goalkeeper.

Dellwood’s night then quickly went from bad to worse as Paul’s free kick slipped through the ‘keeper’s arms and then Davis volleyed home from just outside the 18-yard box.

[bul] Former Bermuda Under-17 defender Kory Trott has received a scholarship to attend George Washington University in Washington DC.

Trott, who was a member of the Island’s Under-17 national squad that competed in last year’s CONCACAF Youth World Cup qualifiers in Cuba, has also been recruited by George Washington’s Division One men’s soccer team.

Trott currently plays for club side FC Delco who are recognised as one of the premier youth soccer programmes in the US.

FC Delco have won several Pennsylvania State Championships in the past, as well as a Regional Championship which places them among the top four teams in the US.