Persto Praesto impress in Eddie Hart football

Persto Praesto Youth Camp football team, popularly known as the “Green Machine” produced a superb performance in their debut season in the Eddie Hart League.

With a six win, one draw and one loss record the Persto Praesto boys signalled their  arrival in the keenly contested Under-17 division. Their only draw of the season was a 3-3 battle with league powerhouse Trincity Nationals.

In this match the “Green Machine” suprised all present as they led 1-0 at the half. Dan Fores of Persto Praesto swept past two Trincity defenders but was fouled in the penalty box and he made no mistake from the penalty spot. The teams played with great enthusiasm and the Youth Camp players kept their one-nil lead at the half-time interval. But the Nationals equalised in the second half and went ahead shortly after.

However Freeport lads were back on equal terms in the 35th when Donny Lyons volleyed a right-foot shot from six yards out. But Nationals again went into the lead before Lyons got a “double” receiving a pass from Andy “Beast” London and dribbled three Trincity defenders to draw the “Green Machine” level. The encounter was testament to the clubs’demeanour throughout the season during which they racked up 28 goals with six against which saw them miss out on the top spot. They however placed a creditable second.

Former trainees of the Youth Camp system, Garvin Scott and Premnath Balgobin in their capacities as coach and assistant coach of the outstanding football team are full of expectation for their charges in this year’s competition. At the centre’s recent annual awards London and Kensley Ashley were adjudged “Footballers of the Year” and the multi-talented Donny Lyons was named “Sportsman and Basketballer of the Year”.

Other awardees included “Athletes of the Year” Aaray Flores and Michael Pierre; “Cricketer of the Year” Samuel Capprieta; “Rugby Player of the Year” Adrian Hospedales. Both Christopher Richardson and Frank Singh were named “Most Promising Players” in their disciplines. All teams and trainees received medals and trophies while the “Sportsman of the Year” trophy was donated by Sports and Games of Chacon Street, Port-of-Spain.