Quest Prep crowned urban Samsung Youth champions

Shayne Fairman, Gleaner Writer

It was an all-prep showdown in Saturday's final at the University of Technology's (UTech) Football field, where Quest Prep copped the coveted trophy and elite title of Samsung Youth champions of Kingston 2014.

Errol White, the coach of Quest, who blanked Mona 3-0 in the final, said: "I am speechless. The boys put in a lot of work, but it all came down to team effort." Rivaldo Mitchell netted a goal in the final and 16 overall to become the competition's all-time top scorer.

"I feel good. I was disappointed from last year. I feel good that I broke the record and our team won," Mitchell said.

Additionally, Quest Prep's victory was inspired by Jaheim Rose, who scored twice and had one assist to help carve out the victory. "I was overwhelmed to score today. It was a joy to help my team win," he said.

LOST COMPOSURE

Runners-up Mona Prep put in a creditable performance, and coach Alfred Nelson praised his team's effort.

"Goals win games, and we failed to score in the final. They scored three unanswered goals, and after that second goal, we just dropped our shoulders a bit and lost composure," he said.

Quest Prep will now await the winners of the rural area in Montego Bay this weekend to determine who will be crowned all-island champions for the Samsung Youth Cup, and win with it the US$10,000 in prizes.

Semi-finals

Earlier, Quest shocked dethroned champions Holy Family 3-0 in the semi-finals, with Jaheim Rose, Rivaldo Mitchell and Tishaun Lawson all scoring.

McCauley Primary and Mona Prep played to a 1-1 draw after full time. In the penalty shoot-out which followed, Mona Prep emerged 5-4 winners.

Quarter-finals

In the quarter-finals, Quest Prep edged Tavares Primary 2-1 with goals from Rivaldo Mitchell and Oral Palmer, while Nathan Wilson scored Tavares' lone goal.

Holy Family Primary beat Lannaman's Prep 4-0. Justin Dunn scored twice, while Delroy Jones and Rojaun Joseph got the other goals.

McCauley Primary reached the semi-finals courtesy of a 5-1 victory over Manchioneal Primary. Oshane Wright scored a hat-trick, while Tamish Richards and Jaheim Reid scored a goal each. Marlon Pennicook scored for the losers. Mona Prep then edged Portsmouth 1-0 for the last semi-final spot, with the winner coming from the boot of Carson Rose.