Norman Gardens win Prince's Cup

By Nodley Wright, Staff Reporter

NORMAN Gardens will head to Britain on Sunday, August 12 to witness an international football friendly match between England and the Netherlands at White Hart Lane three days later.

They earned themselves the trip with a 3-1 win on penalties over Azteca from Campbell Town in the final of the Prince's Cup played at Sabina park yesterday. In addition to the trip which was faciliated by British Airways, Norman Gardens collected the Prince's Cup which was presented by British Prime Minister Tony Blair, $50,000 and kits from the English Football Association.

Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) president, Captain Horace Burrell, also presented the winners with $50,000 to go towards "incidentals". "That was our little contribution," said Burrell. "When they go there they will need little things so that is our contribution." They were also presented with Reggae Boyz replica jerseys.

Azteca, who went into the final quite confident as they were "playing at home" collected $30,000 for their efforts as well as kits frrom the English FA , and replica jerseys from Captain Burrell.

Winning captain Chris Wilson was named the most valuable player in the tournament and he was presented with a golden boot and a gift certificate of $4,000 by David Shirley of Lockerroom Sports.

Earlier in the day Great West Two from Waterhouse won the female equivalent of the Prince's Cup and $10,000 from Letts Investments as they beat the only other female team to take part in the competition, AC Milan, 3-0.

The game itself was a competitive one and it played true to the form book. Going into the final day of competition which included 32 teams, Norman Gardens looked the more powerful team. In their four matches prior to the final, Norman gardens moved from strength to strength winning 2-1, 2-0, 2-0, and 5-0 in the semi-finals.

Azteca on the other hand had a more difficult journey winning their fisrt game 6-5 on penalties, 1-0, 2-0 and 6-5 on penalties.

Norman Gardens started the game in an aggressive fashion peppering the Azteca goal with shots from all angles and distances but were kept out by excellent work from Carlington Campbell who stood in goal. Azteca took their chances on the counter and had a number of close calls with Frazer and substitute Andrew Hennon who delighted the gathering with his ball artistry.

After a closely-contested 30 minutes without a goal being scored it was on to the penalties with Azteca's luck running out the third time. Steven Anderson, Omar Bygrave, captain Chris Wilson scored for the winners while Jermaine Blair missed.

Gary Williams was the sole scorer for Azteca as Nicholas Fraszer, Elkish Smith and Jermaine Tomlinson all missed.

"We were confident going into the game because it was as if we saw it coming because we were just winning and winning," said captain Wilson who said he would go home to have a long sleep after his team's win.

His teammate Blair added: "For the youth in the ghetto this is a tremendous thing. I hope the sponsors continue with it. And for our win I say all praises to God.

'This shows the youth that there is something else besides the gun," continued Blair about the competition which was organised by the Kingston Restoration Company to "Promote peace and partnership in the inner-city."

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