Central Zone Centre for Excellence emerged winners of the Under-13 Trinibajan Football Fiesta held on Saturday at the newly refurbished Woodford Lodge Recreation Ground in Chaguanas.
The Central Zone won their first match of the Fiesta, coming out victorious 3-2 in a thrilling match versus North Zone.
North opened the scoring in the 24th through Andrew Rullow who executed a beautiful free kick that flew past the hapless Central goalkeeper.
North Zone could not hold on to their lead as Central Zone restored parity four minutes later with Jourvel Guadeloupe scoring the equaliser. The Central team took the lead just before the half as Keron Mitchell found the back of the net in the 43rd.
Jerod Gordon of Central Zone made it 3-1 in the 55th minute but North reduced the deficit in the 56th with Jabari Doldron scoring to set up a tense finish but Central held on for the win.
In their second match, Central took on Barbados Soccer Academy and were given a golden chance to take the lead when they were gifted a penalty after a hand-ball in the area but the kick was blasted over the bar. No one could break the deadlock as it remained goalless at the end of normal time and would be decided by kicks from the penalty spot.
Both teams missed their first kick but Central Zone scored the remaining three penalties resulting to be crowned eventual winners of the one-day event.
Barbados Soccer Academy had to settled for second by beating North zone 2-0 in an earlier match.
Central Football Association president Brian Layne and TTFF Technical Director, Lincoln Phillips presented the winning trophy and medals to the Central Zone team.
Layne noted that he was a bit disappointed that the other invited zones did not attend the competition but he was satisfied that the event was still a success.
Phillips praised the Central Football Association for organising such a youth development tournament as it provides them with an opportunity to not only showcase their skills but participate in something positive.