Spot on Rovers take youth title as Village pay penalty
Western Rovers walked away with the spoils at the end of the Under-11 Cup Final against North Village Reds.
Still scoreless after regulation time, Rovers finally edged out their opponents 10-9 in a sudden-death penalty shootout.
With a large crowd on hand, spectators were treated to a match of contrasting styles pitting Village with their short passing against the more direct Rovers.
Rovers, with the wind at their backs, ran at their opponents in the first period and on several occasions were unlucky not to have scored through some innovative free-kicks.
Village's attacks were sporadic, consisting, in the main, of the occasional solo forays into Rovers' territory by K'Wanda Lathan.
Village enjoyed more of the possession during the second period of the match.
Midfielders Justin Hutchins, Ryan Tyrrell and Marcello Thomas started to gel, but their efforts were either blocked or saved by Rovers `keeper Miles Brewer who showed his versatility by trading in the gloves and joining his colleagues in attack in the third period.
However, Rovers attack was non-existent during this time as the Village defence - admirably marshalled by Kyle Wade - held firm.
Village dominated the middle of the park but were unable to spring their forwards.
Determined not to afford their opponents the desperately sought breakthrough, Rovers' defence covered well as the frustration began to reflect on the faces of the Village players.
As the clock ran down Rovers had a couple of long range shots but nothing of major concern and at the end of regulation time the score remained goalless.
In extra-time, Rovers made a tactical switch placing Brewer back in goal.
It immediately paid dividends with the youngster making two excellent saves from Damian Elkinson and Lathan that would have almost certainly taken the championship back to Bernard Park.
Both teams were then made to sweat it out in a penalty shootout and it was Rovers who finally managed to extinguish Village's flame.
In the preceding Under-11 consolation match, Dandy Town emerged 4-1 winners over X-Road Warriors.
Underdogs X-Roads Warriors went ahead through Tristan Daniels to lead the first period 1-0.
In the second period Dandy Town responded with two goals by Giniko Butterfield and Dante Leverock.
Dandy Town fans roared their approval as Town extended their lead in the third period with two further goals by Giniko Butterfield to make the final score 4-1 to Town.
Chairman of BFA Technical Committee Robert Calderon was on hand to present the awards to all of the participants.
The best offensive player was Justin Hutchins with the best defensive player Miles Brewer.
