The Star (Jamaica)

Excelsior’s dominance pleases Gilbert

- ORANE BUCHANAN orane.buchanan@gleanerjm.com

Head coach Xavier Gilbert was pleased with the performanc­e of his charges in the final of the ISSA/TIP Friendly Society football competitio­n as they strolled to a 9-1 whipping of Holmwood Technical at the Stadium East yesterday.

“I think we made it easy as we went at them immediatel­y at the start. We wanted to score one or two early goals and we got that, and once we got that it was difficult for them to come back,” Gilbert stated.

Excelsior opened their account as early as the second minute through Destiny Powell as the defending champions made their intentions known from the whistle. Jada-Lee Bryan in the 5th minute, Cassandra Smith’s 15th-minute strike and Powell again in the 23rd minute made it 4-0 by the halfway mark as the Mountain View-based Excelsior had the lion’s share of possession and goal-scoring opportunit­ies.

In the second half, it was a similar dominant showing as Shauntai Pryce got things going in the opening minute. Powell in the 69th and 71st minute completed her four-timer.

Holmwood Technical got on the scoresheet through a well-taken free kick from Jamara Jones, before Excelsior, completed their goalscorin­g fest through Andrene Smith and Ricquanna Richards in the 74th and 76th minutes, respective­ly.

Maurice Duncan, head coach of Holmwood Technical, was unhappy about the outcome.

“I’m very disappoint­ed as it seemed as if nothing was remembered, and the team didn’t follow the instructio­ns. All the defensive principles were practised in training, and they weren’t executed in the game,” Duncan explained.

In the day’s earlier encounter, Garvey Maceo defeated Edith Dalton James 4-1 to secure third place.

 ?? RICARDO MAKYN ?? Excelsior High’s players celebrate with the championsh­ip trophy after defeating Holmwood Technical High 9-1 in the ISSA/Tip Friendly Society schoolgirl­s football final at the Stadium East field yesterday.
RICARDO MAKYN Excelsior High’s players celebrate with the championsh­ip trophy after defeating Holmwood Technical High 9-1 in the ISSA/Tip Friendly Society schoolgirl­s football final at the Stadium East field yesterday.

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