‘Green Machine’ wins BGTT Girls’ InterCol.
By: Kwame Williams (Guardian).[/size]
Isaac scores only goal in exciting match.
Avaneele Isaac was the match-winner for St Augustine Senior Comprehensive, scoring the only goal in yesterday’s BGTT Girls InterCol final.
Isaac’s 45th strike saw the “Green Machine” beating defending champions Providence Girls’ School, in an exciting encounter at Queen’s Royal College Grounds, St Clair. It was a just reward for the midfielder, who was by far the most valuable player on the day.
The win, St Augustine’s second over Providence this season, was sweet revenge for the East Zone queens, as they were drubbed 6-0 by yesterday’s rivals in the 2005 final.
Goal-scoring opportunities were scarce for either team in the first half, but St Augustine was able to produce two decent chances during the period.
In the 10th minute, the highly-skilful Isaac had a direct free-kick go just over the bar and in time added on, forward Sinead Waldropt hit the top of the crossbar from just inside the box.
Providence, led by midfield ace, Talisa Vire, struggled to mount proper attacks, with St Augustine’s well-organised defence limiting the ball supply to forwards Jamie Garcia and Phoebe Lee-Waterman.
On the rare occasion when the front two did get the ball, they were quickly closed down.
Left-winger Lindsay Murray was the Northerners best player in the first half, but none of her team-mates were able to capitalise on her enterprise.
After the break, Providence looked a different team. The girls from Belmont nearly took the lead in the 43rd when a spell of pressure saw goalkeeper Latisha Mc Alister having to make two point-blank saves. The rebound from the second shot fell invitingly for Vire, but she blasted her effort over the bar.
Providence came to rue that miss two minutes later, when left winger Deneice Fritz was brought down just outside the box by defender Chinaka Springer. Isaac took the ensuing free-kick, sending a well-directed shot both over the wall and the head of goalie Nadia Nunes. Providence pressed for the equaliser, going close through Murray, who was denied by Mc Alister in the 75th, and defender Melissa Douglas, but none was forthcoming.
