It took 80 minutes and ten penalty kicks to separate Arima Boy’s RC and defending champion Carenage Boys in a semifinal thriller of the Atlantic LNG Sponsored National Primary School Football League yesterday. The clash between last season’s boys finalists unfolded at the Mannie Ramjohn Stadium in Marabella and in the end it was Arima getting its revenge, 3-1 on penalties. Carenage which battled tenaciously as it did a year ago in the final, went ahead through Nikeann Aaron but the Arima Giants battled back as Aston Mollineau tied the score before the first half ended.

The extra 20 minutes could not separate the teams and it was penalty kicks which decided the outcome. Arima proved stronger in the kicks and earned a spot in the final. In the second match of the double-header, Claxton Bay Anglican marched into the final when it beat Roxborough Anglican, 2-0 in the semifinals of the girls competition. In a close contest, Claxton Bay went ahead through Esther Kirk in the 24th minute. However, despite being pressed by Roxborough in the second half Claxton Bay extended its lead when Esther Kirk notched her double in the 27th minute. Claxton Bay will now meet national Girls champion Carapichaima in the final.

Carapichaima was made to fight by Tobago champion Montgomery in the other Girls semifinal at the Dwight Yorke Stadium in Tobago. Carapichaima won 2-1. The match was decided by Zoe Swift whose strike in the 12th minute of overtime gave the champion a chance to defend its championship title. Swift put her team ahead in fifth minute before Montgomery striker Alliya Charles put her team level in the 30th minute. In the second match, Santa Flora edged Bon Accord edged 3-2 in overtime in another closely contested affair. Santa will now meet Arima in the final on Wednesday at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Port of Spain. Following the final in both divisions, the presentation function will be held at 11.45 am.

Results

Yesterday

BOYS FINAL
Arima Boys vs Santa Flora, 10.30 am

GIRLS FINAL:
Claxton Bay vs Carapichaima, 9.30 am

Semifinals

Boys
Bon Accord 2 (Jabari George 8th, 25th) vs Santa Flora 3 (Judah Garcia 20th, Diviyo James 47th, Levy Garcia 69th).

Arima 1 (Aston Mollinea) vs Carenage 1 (Nikeann Aaron). Arima won 3-1 on penalty kicks.

Girls
Claxton Bay 2 (Esther Kirk 24th, 27th) vs Roxborough 0.

Carapichaima 2 (Zoe Swift 5th, 52nd) vs Montgomery 1 (Alliya Charles 30th).