All-Stars on the spot
(West won 6-5 on penalties) An extraordinary 22 penalties were needed to determine the winner of the Bermuda School Sports Federation's Primary Schools All-Star match at BAA, after the two sides -- East and West -- played to a 1-1 tie at the end of regulation time.
East applied the early pressure on their western opponents, but it was West who scored first through David Brunson of Southampton Glebe. The lanky striker made no mistake in blasting his shot over the outstretched limbs of East's goalkeeper.
This was a short-lived advantage as East equalised early in the second half.
Both teams had chances to settle the contest in the last 20 minutes, with West's Kilian Elkinson having his shot cleared off the line by East MVP Kawadai Lathan.
Jahniko Butterfield of the east squad had a strong penalty appeal denied by referee Tracy Adams, but could have still won the match minutes later only to miss-kick the ball after being put in a good scoring position.
Donavan Burgess had the last chance for West but he directed his shot straight at the 'keeper.
East eventually won a penalty shoot-out that saw each side go through 11 kicks.
Kawadai Lathan of West Pembroke was named the East's MVP, while David Brunson grabbed the honour for West.
East: Adrian Mills, Harold Houston (East End) Pierre Smith, Kawadai Lathan, Jorde Smith, Jahniko Butterfield (West Pembroke) Jarazinho Bassett, Marshall Wolfe, Tumaini Steede (Prospect Primary) Elrico Cann, Nakki Wells ( Elliot School) Chris Dunton (St. George's Prep.) Jez Burrows, Ryan Pugh (Saltus) Ryan Richardson (Francis Patton) Desi Outerbridge, Tristan Daniels (Harrington Sound) Neiko Smith (Victor Scott) Coach: Neil Paynter (East End) West: Kenneth Leverock, Donavan Burgess (Port Royal) Randy Brangman, Charles Watson, Jun Hardart, Cornell Bean Jr., Kilian Elkinson (Warwick Academy) Kenneth Williams (Northlands) Marico Bassett (Somerset Primary) Dane Benjamin, Andrew Trott-Francis (West End) Khimo Harrison (Heron Bay) Bradley Simons (Montessori Academy) Kenji Griffith (Purvis Primary) Jabriko Allen, Sergio Robinson (Paget Primary) David Brunson (Southampton Glebe) Coaches: Jay Tucker (Somerset Primary), Cal Simons (West End) West 1 East 1 (West won 5-4 on penalties) Penalties were also needed to settle the middle school match after Cecoy Robinson scored a late equaliser for East.
East threatened early and were unlucky not to go 1-0 up after just five minutes, after Robinson sent a perfect cross from the right which Noel Barnett met with a thunderous volley, but the ball crashed off the left upright.
Barnett was a constant threat for East and turned provider after 15 minutes, beating two defenders before squaring the ball to Thomas Watson, only to have the latter completely mis-kick with the goal staring him in the face.
Ryan Purnell of West took the game into his own hands with a majestic run in the 15th minute, which earned his side a free-kick. Antwan Russell stepped up to score the penalty and give West a 1-0 lead.
Purnell made a similar run two minutes and was this time awarded a free-kick just outside the box, with East lucky that referee George O'Brien did not award another penalty. On this occasion East 'keeper Daniel Johnson did well to deny Russell his second goal of the match.
West's Sean Harvey displayed his versatility by coming out of goal at half-time to play up front and had a shot cleared off the line.
Cecoy Robinson popped out of nowhere to force the ball over the line after a goal-mouth scramble to level the scores for East.
During the penalty shoot-out West were a perfect five-for-five, but East faltered when Dwyia Blyden missed despite having three attempts.
Calvon Jones was named East MVP, while Antwan Russell and Trevin Ming shared the award for West.
East: Daniel Johnson, Akeem Trott, Colvon Jones, Thomas Watson, Noel Barnett, Ajani Gibbons, Dwilton Robinson (Dellwood), Allen Douglas (Clearwater Middle School) Khamari Greaves, Kanhai Woolridge, Cecoy Robinson, Dwyia Blyden, Jajuan Mills, Dejon Simmons, Richard Basden (Whitney Institute) Coaches: Dapo Frederick (Dellwood), Dwight Jackson (Whitney Institute) West: Trenton Brangman, McQuinn Burch, Calvin Thomas, Jessie Almeida, Antwan Russell, Vernon Perinchief, nicky Tucker Damir Phillips (Spice Valley) Drake Simmons, Milen Simons, Adrian Fiddes, Ryan Purnell, Matthew Carvehlo, Paulos Francis, Trevin Ming, Keishen Bean (Sandys Middle School) Sean Harvey (Warwick Academy).
Coaches: Andre Bassett & Reggie Tucker (Sandys Middle School)