Thrilling Soccer Rama Competition

Source: www.anguillasports.com
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Preseason activities for the 2007 Anguilla female football league continued on Saturday 24^th March 2007, with the “Backyard Olympics”. This fun event included activities such as juggling, dribbling through cones, potato race, crab race, wheelbarrow race, target shooting, line passing and shooting balls in buckets. Each contest revealed the long known truth that the young ladies have vastly improved their skills over the past few seasons. The event achieved its aim of fun for the players and parents. Positions for the fun event were as follows Youngsters, Lil Soldiers, Superstars, Shining Stars and Gazelles. (Photo courtesy of Jan Challenger)
 
 On Sunday, 25^th March 2007, a rainbow of colour dressed the semi-parched Webster Park annex, as the Soccer-rama tournament got started. During the brief opening ceremony the Sports Officer encouraged players to continue working hard so that skill levels can be improved. He also marveled at the rapid improvement of the younger players. Senior players were cautioned their places in the national teams might become extinct due to the rapid assent of younger players.

(Photo of Melissa Carty courtesy  Jan Challenger) )
 
 A representative of the tournament sponsor, Caribbean Commercial Bank, reminded players of the many positive side effects of the tournament such as confidence and a more profound respect for each other. She also echoed the sentiments of the sports officer and encouraged fair play amongst players.
 
 The aforementioned teams played their hearts out to will their teams to victory. Many of the senior players stamped their identity on the respective matches. Two such players were Claudeena Richardson and Jaynelle Lake who dominated the midfield with pinpoint passes and a generalship that is only exhibited by seasoned veterans.
 
 However, the most impressive match was played between archrivals Superstars and Youngsters. The relentless attacks resulted in Youngsters scoring a goal from an extremely high bouncing ball that left Goal keeper Casilda Carty stranded in no mans land. Instinctively, Melissa Carty and her Lieutenant Generals Monique Carty and Vanessa Bradley of the Superstars responded in a determined manner. Melissa moved to midfield and played like a possessed person. She literally ran circles around her opponents as she mesmerized them with her fancy dribbling and raw burst of speed.
 
(Photo courtesy of the Anguilla Football Assoc.) 
 


Monique Carty was not to be out done with some fancy footwork of her own. Often time both players tried to feed Vernessa Bradley or Makaba Reid with passes but lady luck was not with them. Defensive stalwart Khadeema Gumbs AKA “shorty” also made her contribution by running down any offensive player, even if it meant falling down and rolling over on her head. Superstars’ Manager, Mrs. Monica Guishard could not watch the match as each failed goal scoring chance increased the tension of the game. Despite the super heroine like efforts, Superstars were eliminated during the first round of the tournament.

In the end Lil Soldiers won the event by winning a penalty shoot out with the Youngsters with a score of 4-3.