LACOVIA Primary captured the inaugural LIME/National Primary Schools football title at the Prison Oval on Friday, after Romeo Wright’s 54th-minute strike carried the St Elizabeth boys to a 1-0 win over St Catherine’s McCauley Primary.

In an exciting finale, Lacovia showed grit and determination and came away with the all-important goal six minutes from the end.

McCauley Primary, which is situated just a stone’s throw from the match venue, started the better of the teams and threatened early through Barron Gordon, who had the first sight of goal, but goalkeeper Davion Barrett was equal to the task seven minutes into the match.

Minutes later, the striker again broke loose but could not direct his effort on target.

Lacovia eventually got into the game after 10 minutes, mainly through the individual work of Wright, who forced McCauley on the defensive with some surging runs from midfield.

However, their most dangerous efforts on goal came corner kicks, with Wright forcing goalkeeper Sanjay Hylton to stay alert with some threatening deliveries from the set pieces.

The best chance of the half fell to Lacovia in the 17th minute when Wright’s precise ball found Wayne Dixon unmarked inside the area.

And although Dixon miscued his effort, the ball fell generously for Radjae Grant, who put the ball wide of the target.

McCauley continued to look dangerous and Jay Rowe Budram and Gordon squandered two other good chances to put their team up afterwards.

After the break, Lacovia came out looking the stronger of the teams with Dixon, Jerome Smith and Wright leading the charge. Dixon had the first chance of the half but failed to capitalised.

The hard-working captain then left the McCauley defence in his wake before playing the ball across goal, but two Lacovia players converging on the ball could not make contact.

Hylton then produced a point-blank save off Smith as the red-and-blue-clad Lacovia upped the tempo.

Midway the half, Wright had the best opportunity to give Lacovia the lead, but Hylton denied the midfielder after he broke loose.

The breakthrough eventually came with six minutes to go when defender Gregory Roach, who was colossal in defence for Lacovia, sent a long ball upfield for Dixon.

The Lacovia captain then beat McCauley’s Romario Edwards to the ball, heading on to Wright who raced through and calmly slotted past Hylton.

The goal brought McCauley to life and they came storming back. A minute later, Ricardo Richards picked out Demetrie Gordon unmarked at the back post, but he volleyed wide of the target.

Two minutes later, Richards found space inside the area but Barrett produced a spectacular save to deny his curling shot.

Then, with a minute to go, Richards had another glorious opportunity to get the equaliser, but he could not direct his effort on target from close range.

Winning coach Adrian Taylor said he knew it would be a tough game and credited his players for their drive and determination.

“All through the season the players have shown tremendous drive and effort and came here and gave that effort and came out on top,” he said.

His counterpart Shane Richards blamed the defeat on lack of teamwork.

Minister of Sports Olivia ”Babsy” Grange praised LIME and INSPORTS for their investment in the youngsters.

“Jamaica’s football is in good hands. We are grooming a set of young footballers who are going to make Jamaica proud,” she said.