East fight back to win thrilling finale
East won 4-3 on penalties In what was the finale of the East versus West All-Star Classic under the current format it was only fitting that Saturday's match finished in most dramatic fashion.
After 90 minutes of free-flowing, attractive soccer by the Island's leading secondary school talents failed to produce a winner, penalty kicks were required to decide the outcome of both the match and overall series, which stood tied at 10-10 entering the night.
In the end the East prevailed, claiming bragging rights as West's Troy Hayward struck the deciding spot kick wide of the right post.
However, early on it appeared as if West would run riot, dominating the first half to the tune of a 2-0 lead behind goals from burly striker Mark Mills and Shaki Crockwell.
But this was a tale of two halves.
For East regrouped during the interval to produce an avalanche of pressure in the second half and pull level on strikes from Vince Minors and Aaron Williams.
It took Mills only five minutes to jump start the affair, taking advantage of a late reacting East defence to outpace sweeper Randell Swan and coolly slot the ball past goalkeeper Colin Mello.
Neat ball work by Mills in the 32nd minute presented West with their second goal. Mills worked his way between two defenders inside the area before releasing to Crockwell, whose deft lob left Mello helplessly stranded and the ball in the back of the net.
Yet, this would be West's last chance to cheer, as East turned up the heat in the second half, midfielder John Barry Nusum prominent among the resurgence.
With Nusum coordinating and team-mates Minors, Williams and Denis Lottimore also on song, it appeared only a matter of time before West buckled.
The first moment came in the 71st minute, Minors providing a glimpse of his close ball skills, snaking past two defenders on the right side and faking another to open up room for a neatly placed shot past substitute 'keeper Nigel Burgess.
Hard running by Williams finally drew East level nine minutes from time, the diminutive attacker starting and finishing the move.
Williams gained possession near the half-way line, dribbled forward and worked a one-two with Jermaine Tucker, before executing a slick chip past the advancing Burgess.
During the penalty kick phase Minors, Omari Dill, Jermaine Dill and Nusum each scored for East, while Joey Rego, Bean and Mills converted for West.
Afterwards East coach Jon Beard praised his charges for the fight shown in the face of adversity.
"At half-time they new they needed to step it up and were determined to come out in the second half and do it,'' said Beard, who was assisted by Arnold Manders. "It was a great performance, the guys kept running and running and were determined to win it.'' MM1 East 2 West 5 West dominated from start to finish the preceding MM1 affair, with Kevun Arorash leading the charge with two goals, while Damon Hatherley, Ryan Swan and Jason Dill added single strikes.
Kanhai Armstrong and Jahkeil Samuels replied for the East.
Arorash opened the scoring for West in the eighth minute, picking up a loose ball in the penalty area and slamming it past an exposed Freddie Hall. Five minutes later Arorash gained possession 20 yards out and left would be tacklers in his wake as he dribbled towards goal and unloaded into the left corner.
East pulled one back moments into the second half as Armstrong weaved his way inside the area before shooting past 'keeper Patrick Stampe.
Hatherley restored the two goal advantage in the 39th minute with a rasping drive that gave Chris Collete no chance. The 43rd saw Swan sneak a low shot inside the right upright following a partial clearance by the East defence.
Not willing to concede, East again responded, as Samuels lofted an effort over the head of Jermaine Smith from 17 yards, making the score 4-2.
Scoring was completed as Dill converted a penalty in the dying stages.
PRIMARY SIX East 1 West 3 Showing skills beyond their years, the Primary Six All-Stars got matters started, putting on an enthusiastic display.
Kenny Tucker booted West into the lead early in the first half and struck again midway through to double the advantage.
However, East came back with Brian Phipps reducing the arrears moments before half-time.
It was then left to Damon Swan to firmly settle the issue in favour of West, as he scored with a dipping shot from long range.