Somersfield Academy finished a week long football and cultural tour to Panama with a perfect 3-0 record.
Somersfield's first match saw them take on Prefupi FC. All of the matches were played in the recently built Maracana Stadium, Somersfield overcame jet-leg and the sweltering heat to win 5-3. Hunter Outerbridge scored the matches first goal with a neat finish past the outstretched hands of the Prefupi goalkeeper. The scores were soon leveled when Prepupi scored directly from a free kick. Poor finishing prevented Somersfield from taking total control of the match. The last ten minutes of the first half produced three goals in back and forth action. Outerbridge turned provider with a defense splitting pass that sent Chaz Trott clear on goal. Trott made amends for his earlier misses and rounded the keeper before slotted the ball into an empty net. Prepupi would once again equalize with a chip shot that was just too high for Cairo Simmons to get a hand on. Seke Spence would restore the lead with a fine 25 yard free kick which gave the opposing keeper no chance. Spence was pushed forward in the second half to find the winner. He managed to get to the end of a tap in to restore the lead. Somersfield would increase their lead after a Prepupi defender turned a Matthew Elliot cross into his own net. A later Prepupi goal caused some tense moments but Somersfield hung on to start their tour on a winning note.
Somersfield then had to wait a few days for their second match. Trott and Spence both scored on either side of halftime to give Somersfield a 2-0 victory over Eagles FC. Late in the first half Toby Gibbons won the ball on the left flank. He slipped the ball to hunter Outerbridge who once again sent Chaz Trott clear on goal. Trott easily found the back of the net sending his team to the locker room 1-0 up. Seke Spencer sealed the win late in the game heading home a Gibbons corner
Somersfield then took on tournament hosts Chorillo FC in the Championship deciding game. The nerves seemed to get the best of the young Somersfield team and found themselves down 1-0 early. Great tackling and defending by mason Outerbridge and Matthew Elliot prevented their team from going further down in the first half. Spence was the hero scoring a second half hat-trick to seal the Championship for Somersfield. Spence scored the first after breaking free and outrunning the defense before slotting past the advancing keeper. He then scored a long range 35 yard effort. Spence completed his hat-trick after rounding a few defenders before hammering the ball last the hapless keeper. Chorillo had a great chance late on the game but a fantastic reflex save from stand in goalkeeper hunter Outerbridge kept the score at 3-1. The team was inspired and encouraged by a loud and enthusiastic large contingent of traveling parents.
During their off days the team visited The Gamboa Indian village where they had a tour before presenting the village with boots, sneakers and clothing. The happy and appreciative kids quickly donned their new gear and played a friendly match against their new tourist friends. The boys also spent a day playing paint ball and also did some sightseeing and shopping in the mall
Team: Xavi lee, Ty Dunlop, Mikey Costello, Machai Battersbee, Chaz Trott, Matthew Elliot, Seke Spence, Sakai Newman, Aciram Burgess, Hunter Outerbridge, Mason Outerbridge, Jervay Laws, Cairo Simmons, Greg Mwangi, Yusef Bushara, Toby Gibbons - Coach Davon Wade
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