Ricam beat Hillstars to lift Manchester KO title
MANDEVILLE, Manchester — Ricam Academy claimed their first hold on the Manchester FA/Brumalia House Knockout title, but needed penalties to beat Hillstars FC 4-2 in Tuesday’s final at Brooks Park.
The sides had battled to a 1-1 scoreline in full and extra-time.
It was Ricam, the current Major League leaders, who took the lead when Kemar Ricketts lobbed the Hillstars goalkeeper in the 26th minute.
But when it appeared they were cruising to the title, Jermaine Green popped up with a stoppage-time equaliser for Hillstars. He took advantage of some lax defending to slip the ball past the advancing Ricam goalkeeper.
But while the momentum stayed with Hillstars throughout the extra time period, the reigning Major League champions failed to their advantage count. They were below par in the shootout, missing two of their four spot kicks while Ricam missed only one of their five kicks.
Coach Andrew Smith said this milestone was special for many reasons.
“It was a very difficult game,” he began, “because these players are youngsters and this is their first senior final, and Hillstars is a more superior team. But we have a lot of guts and determination.
“Going to penalties is a 50/50 chance, but we were prepared,” he continued. “We practised penalties everyday so we were not worried.”
Smith also dedicated the victory to their grieving management team and the Greenvale community.
He said: “This one is very special because we lost Makaila Richards, the manager’s daughter who is very dear to us, so we dedicated this competition to the Richards family and we are pleased that we could take home for them.”
“This is also for the community,” he added. “There is a stigma attached to Greenvale, crime and violence, and we have a talented group of youngsters, so we are trying to use football to change this negativity towards the community.”
Ricam, who will represent Manchester in the all-island KO competition, will now turn their attention to the cross-zone feature of the Major League, where they will renew rivalry with Hillstars.
The unbeaten Ricam lead Zone Two on 13 points, while former champions Mile Gully sit at the top of Zone One, also with 13 points — one ahead of second-placed Hillstars.