Wolfe hat-trick propels Bermuda into CFU final – The Royal Gazette
Updated: Aug 24, 2024 08:43 AM
In to final: Bermuda prior to semi-final clash against Anguilla in the Caribbean Football Union Boys Under-14 Challenge Series, in Trinidad and Tobago (Photograph supplied)
Bermuda 6 Anguilla 0
Jeon Wolfe bagged his second hat-trick of the tournament as Bermuda cruised into the Caribbean Football Union Boys Under-14 Challenge Series final without hardly breaking a sweat in Trinidad & Tobago last night.
The prolific striker, the tournament’s leading scorer with ten goals, netted in the eighth, 20th and 36th minutes to lead the charge in another dominant display by the Gombey Warriors.
Captain Z-Ani Jennings added a brace while substitute Chaz Edmead came off the bench to complete the rout from the penalty spot after being floored in the area.
“Naturally, we are pleased to have secured a place in the final,” Bermuda coach Vashun Blanchette told The Royal Gazette.
“The general team play was at a good level, and we remained patient with our possession until we were able to create scoring opportunities.”
Bermuda, who have now scored 26 goals and conceded only one, will meet Barbados in the final at Dwight Yorke Stadium in Tobago tomorrow.
“We will continue to prepare as we have done for the previous matches,” Blanchette added. “The support back home has not gone unnoticed, and is much appreciated by the boys. We are asking for one more big push as we approach Sunday’s final.”
Playmaker Jennings broke the deadlock at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Port of Spain in the fifth minute when he wriggled his way past two defenders and beat the goalkeeper a clinical left -footed finish from just inside of the area.
Wolfe doubled Bermuda’s advantage three minutes later when left with the simple task of slotting a loose ball into an empty net after the goalkeeper mishandled Adam Barritt’s half volley that took an awkward bounce off the deck.
He then grabbed a second with a crisp shot from around 25 yards to put the game beyond Anguilla’s reach well before the half.
Jennings took his overall tournament tally to four with another brilliant left-footed finish in the 25th minute from around the same distance after dribbling between two defenders to make it 4-0.
The influential player was substituted three minutes before half-time with the Gombey Warriors spot in the final all but secured.
Bermuda took their foot off the gas after the restart but still managed to add to their tally as their opponents continued to struggle stringing passes together and retaining possession.
Player of the match Wolfe completed his hat-trick when he slotted another loose ball into an empty net after the goalkeeper miskicked an attempted punt upfield.
Edmead then put the proverbial icing on the cake with a well taken spot-kick that left the goalkeeper flat footed after going to ground attempting to get on the end of Rylan DeSilva’s delightful through pass into the area.
DeSilva was unfortunate not to get on the scoresheet himself as his bending free- kick from 30 yards struck the crossbar right on the full-time whistle.
Bermuda finished top of Tier II Group C with a perfect record and earned the right to face the lowest-ranked team remaining in Tier II in the semi-final because of a superior goal difference to Barbados.
Last night’s other semi-final at the Hasely Crawford Stadium saw Group A winners Barbados beat Group B winners Turks & Caicos Islands 3-0 to set up an intriguing final showdown with Bermuda.
The match is on Sunday at 3.30pm Bermuda time.