The game started off with one objective for SKHY and that was to "WIN". From the whistle, there was immense intensity from the lads trying to close down the ball as quickly as possible. In the first ten minutes of the game SKHY showed glimpses of their talent, stringing passes and exhibiting a drive to score. Twenty minutes went by of constant pressure from SKHY on House of Dread, then totally against the run of play, trouble came SKHY’s way, as they failed to shut down quickly enough one of the opposition’s long searching balls forward. Due to this lapse, House of Dread obtained the break of a lifetime. Their striker who was alert ran onto the ball as it cleared the defenders, saw that SKHY’S goal-keeper, Tarik Hopkins, was off his line and unleashed a tremendous volley from about 35 yards out that gave Hopkins no chance, 1-0 to House of Dread.
At this point the battle cry came from the skipper, Shakir Cole, “Lift your heads, we’re not giving up!” With this, the guys regained their concentration. After being on the back foot for five minutes, they started to place pressure again on the opposition, including interceptions and gruelling tackles in all corners of the park, as the flame in SKHY ignited. Rashad Hyancenth threaded a pass to Stephan Spicer, who drove down the line and whipped in a cross that saw Dominic Jangoo skating in trying to get some part of his foot on the ball, but to no avail. However, the attacks didn't stop there with both fullbacks, Spicer and Dion Augustus running up and down supporting play. It seemed at times that the opponents may have been out-numbered. On one of his forays up the right flank, Augustus collected a pass from Peter Jeffery, after he had won the ball in midfield and picked out Nicholas Yee Chan with a one time over the head pass that the opposing keeper did not collect and gave Nicholas the opportunity to volley home, 1-1. The remainder of the first half stayed mostly in SKHY’s favour with less and less advances from House of Dread.
The second half began with House of Dread showing more urgency, but it took only a couple of minutes for SKHY to find its stride. House of Dread had a couple of threatening advances, but eventually it was all neutralized. Midway through the second half SKHY’s goal scorer Yee Chan was substituted and on came Kemo Toby. SKHY continued advancing down the flanks with both forwards and wingbacks posing a threat. SKHY's hard work and positive play seemed to have been rewarded in the 85th minute, when Spicer charged down to the by-line and whipped the ball in for Hyacenth to calmly place in the net, but due to a very controversial decision the goal was disallowed, causing both players and fans to become frustrated. SKHY continued to attack but to no avail. Extra time saw Hopkins making a point blank save to deny the guys from Tunapuna taking the lead. At the final whistle, the score was locked at 1-1, on to penalties.
Spot kicks, the deciding factor. SKHY’s camp was riding high on confidence. Kicks were dispatched by Rashad and Aaron Noel. After the first 2 kicks, the score was level. Hopkins saved their 3rd kick and it gave SKHY that window to put a seal on the game and this was done. Spicer, Toby and Jangoo, who was last up, slotted their kicks away with aplomb. On the heels of this feat the final whistle was blown. SKHY FC, winners of the East Zone FA Cup 2014/2015, 5-4 on penalties. This is A big step forward for the club.
