Mt Salem take title with 4-0 win

Adrian Frater, News Editor

Western Bureau:

Mt Salem Primary School, behind a superb hat-trick by star striker Peter Campbell, crowned themselves 2011 St James Victoria Mutual Building Society (VMBS) Under-13 primary schools football champions following their 4-0 blanking of Flankers in Thursday's final at the UDC playing field, in Montego Bay.

"This is exactly the kind of result we came here hoping for today," said Marlon Campbell, coach of the Mt Salem team. "A lot of hard work went into our preparation this season, and we believe this is just reward for the effort we got from the boys."

By virtue of their win, the ruthless Mt Salem team took home the coveted VMBS Trophy and the winner's purse of $26,000. The Flankers team, which performed way below expectation, pocketed $21,000 for their losing effort.

Prior to the final, outgoing champions Corinaldi Avenue defeated neighbours Barracks Road 3-2 on penalties in the third-place play-off. The teams had battled to 1-1 regulation and extra-time stalemate after Stephen Clarke scored for Barracks Road and Shavaughn McDonald equalised for Corinaldi Avenue.

In the final, Mt Salem dominated the early exchanges and it was no surprise when they took the lead in the 15th minute. The burly Campbell broke free on the right flank and fired a fabulous volley over the head of the Flankers custodian, making the score 1-0.

Opportunity to tie

Flankers came close to drawing level against the run of play in the 17th minute when Courtney Chisholm capitalised on one of the rare errors in the Mt Salem defence but his hastily taken shot flew wide of the target.

Mt. Salem doubled their lead in the 21st minute when they won a free kick on the edge of the penalty area. Campbell used the outside of his instep to curl the ball past the defensive wall and the Flankers custodian, making the half-time score 2-0.

Down into second-half action, Mt Salem continued their ruthless assault on Flankers when they struck in the third minute of the second half for a 3-0 lead. Under pressure, a Flankers defender handled the ball and the referee pointed to the spot. Campbell stepped up to complete his hat-trick with his 14th goal of the season.

With the dejected Flankers supporters walking out of the venue, Mt Salem added another chapter to their woes with 12 minutes to go in the game. Mosiah Fearson went high for a corner kick and directed his header out of the reach of the goalkeeper making the final score 4-0.

The winning Mt Salem squad: Aian Miller - goalkeeper and captain, Peter Campbell, Jowell Powell, Damart Austin, Romario Rowe, Ricardo Rickettes, Oshane Francis, Nick Malcolm, Anthony Rickettes, Antonio Ramson, Dyo Rickettes, Dakovor Brown and Vishala Allen.