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A seventh minute goal by national U-17 player, Kayla Taylor, secured a Girls Secondary School National Intercol hat-trick for Debe High yesterday against Roxborough Secondary at the Mannie Ramjohn Stadium, Marabella.It was Roxborough’s first attempt at a national title, though they looked the part against the defending champion for a large majority of the match, but could not find the back of the net even with the most promising of advances from their star striker, Nathalia Benjamin.

Taylor put Debe ahead in the seventh minute through a brilliant solo effort, which saw her beat the Roxborough defence and slot home beyond the reach of the Tobago keeper Shanice Sylvester.Roxborough threatened to pull one back on a number of occasions, with Benjamin proving to be a handful for the Debe defence, but Debe skipper and national U-17 last stopper, Patrice Vincent was in her usually impenetrable good form.

Vincent ensured that Debe and national U-17 keeper, Linfah Jones had very little to do throughout the match, cutting off Roxborough’s runs on goal before any real momentum could be built by the visitors.In the second half, Roxborough seemed bent on leveling the score, but two solo runs on goal by Taylor was enough to shift the game back in Debe’s favour.

Though suffering from cramps, Taylor was able to easily thread her way through her opponent’s defence, but was unlucky not to get another item to her name, as Sylvester pulled out her very best, to deny the petite trickster from getting anymore goals to her name.Roxborough will have their chance at revenge on the South Zone champion when the two meet in the national Big Four title on Friday the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo from 3 pm.

Speaking after the match, Debe skipper Vincent said she was very pleased with the performance of her team.“I am very proud of my team,” she said. Everybody came out for the entire season and did what they had to do. ”Vincent made note of the fact that despite Debe having lost three instrumental players in former national U-20 captain, Mariah Shade, former national defender, Stephanie Beam and prolific scorer, Elizabeth Ng Wai, they have managed to pull through this season.

“We have lost players, but Kayla has been wonderful this season and Linfah has really proven herself, while there are other players who have stepped up to the plate.”As for Friday’s Big Four final, Vincent said she is confident about coming away with a victory, but feels that her team needs to work on their finishing. Debe coach, Arnold Murphy declined to share any thoughts or tactics for Friday’s match, opting only to say that Debe would be coming out to play good football.
Kayla Taylor