Whim Anglican defeated Bon Accord Government last Friday to become the first school to win the Goderick Alfred Tobago Primary School Football Cup twice.
The game was the feature attraction at the opening ceremony of the 2010 MILO Tobago Primary School Football League at Shaw Park, Scarborough.
Whim came from behind to register a 2-1 victory, exacting revenge on the team that dethroned them last year by a similar scoreline. Whim also had a come-from-behind 2-1 victory in 2008 when they defeated Signal Hill Government in that year's final.
Bon Accord Government started the sharper of the two teams and took the lead in the tenth minute when Javon Williams scored his sixth goal of the tournament. Williams beat Whim goalkeeper Ato James with a shot just inside the penalty area from an acute angle.
However Kellon James weaved his way past two defenders into the six-yard box to give Whim the equaliser four minutes later. The remainder of the first half was even as the teams went into half-time at 1-1.
Whim began to assert control upon the resumption, with the dazzling runs of diminutive wingers Karyque "Kiki" Joseph and Gereeb Louis gradually wearing down the Bon Accord defence.
Their hard work was rewarded when Kellon James notched his second of the match and seventh of the tournament with just nine minutes remaining.
Omarley James, who had scored in each previous game of the tournament, then missed two glorious chances to ice the game for Whim.
Bon Accord had two last-gasp chances for the equaliser but Josh Leacock's well-placed shots lacked the power to get past Whim's keeper.
Whim held on for the victory, which saw their exuberant fans storm the field and "palance" in celebration.
Kellon James was named Player of the Final and also won the Golden Ball Trophy for the Tournament's Most Valuable Player.
Ato James, also of Whim, won the trophy for Best Goalkeeper, while Taffarel Joseph of Signal Hill Government won the Golden Boot Trophy for his tournament-leading 22 goals.
The day began with the parade of teams and, before declaring the League open, School Supervisor II Gerard Franklyn urged participating schools to aim high in this year's competition and challenged the champion schools to bring the National Primary Schools titles back to Tobago.
Franklyn then presented an award in recognition of outstanding service to the development of schools football in Tobago to new School Supervisor I Ronald Duke.
Duke, the 2009 Tobago Teacher of the Year, who has a wealth of experience as a football coach and administrator, received a standing ovation from the crowd as he received the award.
Twenty-five primary schools across Tobago are expected to participate in this year's Boys League, with 16 of them also competing in the Girls Division.
The finals of the 2010 MILO Tobago Primary School Football League will be held on Friday October 29.
The two finalists in both the Boys and Girls divisions will qualify to represent the Tobago Educational District in the 2010 Atlantic LNG National Primary Schools Football League in November.