On Sunday, 24 April 2022, the Spartans FC U-17 Boys (ALHCS) defeated Diamond FC by a score of two goals to nil at the Orealia Kelly Primary School Playing Field in Stoney Ground. In doing so, Spartans won its final match in this year’s youth football tournament, picked up another crucial three points and captured the first ever Anguilla U-17 Youth League club championship.
The scoring was opened in the first half by fast, skilful winger Kemari Gumbs, who received a pass out wide on the left flank from midfield general, Cardinae Rennie. Gumbs then cut inside drifting pass two defenders, before unleashing a powerful right-footed drive which beat the Diamond goalkeeper at his near post. One of the Spartans youth captains, Keante Brooks, then sealed victory for his team midway through the second half, confidently dispatching yet another penalty kick (his third of the tournament) after he was tripped carelessly in the area by defender Fidel Lim-Brooks.
The Spartan army marched through the final round of the tournament unbeaten, amassing 25 points at the top of the U-17 Youth League table, ahead of runners-up, Roaring Lions FC and East Enders FC in third place. Lymers FC, Diamond FC and West End Predators Academy also participated in the tournament.
At the beginning of February, Spartans began its campaign as one of the tournament’s favourites and its performances would have certainly lived up to the high expectations. To the joy of its loyal and ever-present supporters, Spartans downed East Enders by a score of 6-1 in the tournament’s opening match, sending a signal of intent to the rest of the league. Rennie, also a youth captain, led from the front with a man of the match performance, scoring a brilliant hat trick, which included a powerful long-range thunderbolt from the halfway line that left the East Enders goalkeeper stunned. Kevin Paul, assisted by Rennie, Mario Hodge and Demitri Niles were also on the scoresheet for the Spartans U-17 Boys. Delani Francis fought hard and managed to pull back a consolation goal for the East Enders with a wonderful shot from outside the box.
Proudly donning the blue and gold colours of the Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School throughout the competition, the Spartans were the dominant force week in, week out, exhibiting their superior physical prowess, fitness and athletic ability whilst playing an exciting and equally as attractive brand of high-intensity attacking football, which their opponents neither could match nor hope to cope with. In the following weeks, the Spartans FC U-17 Boys would go on to score a tournament-high 32 goals from their 10 matches and finished with an overall record of 8 wins, 1 draw and a single loss. Top goal scorers for the Spartans U-17 Boys were Keante Brooks (8 goals), Cardinae Rennie (6 goals), Timarqus Connor (6 goals) and Kemari Gumbs (6 goals) who formed a formidable attacking quartet that struck fear into opposing defenders. Spartans goalkeeper, Shemor Browne, performed consistently throughout the tournament as well, making a number of key saves and keeping six clean sheets, whilst protecting the Spartans’ goal.
The full Spartans U-17 Boys squad comprises players: Ajaraé Bryan, Andre Samuel, Andrew Service, Cardinaé Rennie, D’Karai Browne, Demitri Niles, Devonjé Victory, Jadon Fleming, Joseph Manasiriphan, Keante Brooks, Kemari Gumbs, Kevin Paul, Khalique Jackson, Kieron Edwards, Mario Hodge, Rajon Thompson, Roshani Gumbs-Richardson, Shemor Browne and Timarqus Connor. Spartans FC U-17 team officials include U-17 Coach, Mr. Keivois Lake, U-17 Team Manager, Mr. Khamal Harding Hodge, and Youth Academy Director, Mr. Cheidyn Bryan. Other coaches in the Spartans FC Youth Academy – ALHCS that assisted with the preparation of the players for this tournament are: Coach Akemael Rogers, Coach Alrique Rogers, Coach Meguel Walker and Coach Kaymony Jackson.
Spartans FC is a youth-focused grassroots football club, affiliated with the Albena-Lake Hodge Comprehensive School (ALHCS), which provides football training and other youth development programmes. Currently, Spartans FC operates one of Anguilla’s premier football academies with training sessions held weekly at the OKPS Playing Field in Stoney Ground. For additional information about Spartans FC, please contact our Club Secretary, Miss Keidesha Harrigan at spartansfc.alhcs@gmail.com. You can also check out Spartans FC on social media via its Facebook and Instagram pages.
– Press Release
