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MoBay Prep clinch title with narrow win over Fairfield
December 06, 2024
Montego Bay Preparatory School emerged as proud first-time champions of the Hosanna Preparatory School 25th anniversary under 12 co-ed football competition on Wednesday.
In a thrilling final, MoBay Prep defeated Fairfield International Academy School 2-1 to secure the victory. Dyllon Troupe and Mason Smith scored for MoBay Primary, while Adam Spencer pulled a goal back for Fairfield .
The third-place showdown saw Eber Preparatory, with a brace from Kysonal McPherson and a goal from Joshuan Campbell, won 3-2 against Mary's Preparatory, for whom Maliq Salmon scored two goals.
Bennyon Burchell, coach of Montego Bay Prep, said the team was competitive.
"The boys have an appetite for victory," Burchell declared, after winning the title. "The competition was a good platform for the boys to grow. It gave them exposure and preparation for tournaments ahead," said Burchell.
"The boys played excellently and they were quite entertaining. Patrons enjoyed it because it was like a Premier League match. The stars on the team have shown the ability to go to the national team one day. I am very happy to have won the title. It is my first year getting the opportunity to train them. They are very competitive," he added.
Nine preparatory schools entered the competition, which had as its main idea building synergy within prep schools. Both finalists were first-time entrants.
Raymond White, Fairfield International Academy's coach, said that despite the loss, the effort was remarkable.
"I am extremely proud of the players. The fact that we made it to the finals unbeaten, it is just unfortunate that we didn't get the win," White said.
"I believe in the first half we did not execute the game plan in terms of urgency and attacking the ball. We were kind of too defensive, but when going two goals down, my boys turned on the engine," Burchell said.
"Time was our enemy and, unfortunately, we couldn't get an equaliser. It was a good game overall, and trust me, I am definitely proud of them. I am looking forward to next year."
In the 60-minute game, MoBay Prep's Dyllon Troupe opened the scoring in the 35th minute when the goalkeeper and defence failed to deal with a clearance properly. Troupe quickly took advantage to slot the ball home. In the 45th minute, MoBay's Mason Smith ran past defenders to strike home and double the lead.
Fairfield refused to give up. They fought hard and in the 50th minute Adam Spencer's netted from a free kick to go on the scoresheet and reduce the lead.
Fairfield continued to press for the equaliser, but stout defending from MoBay Prep meant they would keep their advantage.
At the presentation ceremony, Troupe won the Golden Boot Award for scoring 11 goals, and his teammate, Deandre Jones, earned the Best Goalkeeper prize. Fairfield International's Adam Spencer was given the Most Valuable Player Award overall for his discipline and defensive duties.
