Ballaz U-12s suffer defeat in first game of Williamsburg Invitational

The Ballaz Academy suffered a 1-3 reverse against the Tidewater Sharks 2007 United in their first game of the Williamsburg Invitational Football Tournament on Friday.

DeAndre Reid gave the visitors a first-half lead but they found the going tough in the second half as the sharks responded to score 3 unanswered goals to secure the win.

Playing in their first international tournament, the Ballerz under 12 team, got off to a good start battling bravely against an organized Sharks Team.  Playing with purpose and aggression in a fairly even first half, Ballerz were able to lead when Reid poked the ball home from almost on the goal line after a spill by the Shark’s goalkeeper.

Giovanni Binns who was the standout player for the Jamaicans should have doubled the lead for his team, but kicked the ball too hard when a gentle lob was all that was needed to beat the advancing Shark keeper.

He would watch in despair as his shot went agonizingly wide shortly after, as the visitors failed to build on their one goal advantage.

The Sharks were also left cursing their luck as an effort from them went wide of the far post shortly before the interval.

The hosts benefited from tactical changes at half time as they drew level through Max Brown who pounced on his own rebound to slot home after his initial shot had hit the upright.

Binns had a chance to restore the lead for Ballaz but on a luckless afternoon had to watch as another effort went just wide of the far post.

The Sharks then took the lead, when Owen Hull prodded home a left-sided cross before Coady Walk completed the scoring when he blasted the ball into the roof of the net.

All the teams will play today with starting with the Under 9 team.