For our final game, we battled for third place after 4 days of encounters against other quality teams.
Starting XI
GK: Ricardo Laing
Defense: Kristoper McDonald (left back), JahHari White (center half), Noel Walker (center half), Sean-Michael McIntosh Shaqkeil Campbell (right back)
Midfield: Rojaughn Joseph (defensive), Shawn Daley (defensive), Oquasso Chong (attacking)
Forward: Kafui Douet (left), Kellijah Morgan(centre), Shaqkeil Campbell (right)
Substitutes:
Trevaughn Irwin (GK), Ronaldo Robinson, Rojaughn Joseph, Junior Parker, Matthew Bell, Javain Green, Andrade Wright, Romaye Davis
The encounter started with Gillingham FC having the run of the first 35 minutes as two chances for them went a begging for a goal. Three shots in the last five minutes of the half swayed the game towards our favour but no goals were recorded. Halftime had the score locked at 0-0.
The second half commenced, set play from a left-sided corner found Gillingham’s big centre half #6, Charlie Blank, who was free at the back post and tapped the ball tap in to make it 1-0 after 50 minutes. Shacqkeil Campbell blasted the ball targeting home from 19 yards, but it was parried over by the six-foot goalkeeper.
In the 61st minute, a double substitution of Javain Green and Matthew Bell seemed to work, as the combination moved the ball central allowing Morgan to dribble inside, kick it wide left to substitute Robinson who switched left to fight and bend it inside the far post to equalize, 1-1. The tide quickly changed as HVFC drove forward with serious intentions.
Davis kicked just wide off the mark a minute later, then Joseph had beaten both the goalkeeper and the far upright as time ticked away. HVFC remained on the hunt, goalkeeper Laing saved and kicked long in hope to facilitate a threatening play in the dying moments of regulation.
Extra time of two ten minute halves was called in attempt to break the deadlock, but there was no such luck; Davis missed a shot in the last minute and penalties were called.
This ultimately resulted in Gillingham winning third place, outscoring us on penalties by 5-3; HVFC finishes the tournament in fourth.