Santos outhustled the Guyana Defence Force 2-1 in their semi-final matchup to book a place in the finale, when the Georgetown Football Association (GFA)/Banks Beer Cup concluded on Sunday at the Georgetown Football Club (GFC) ground, Bourda.
Anthony Abrams opened the scoring for Santos in the eighth minute with a header inside the six-yard box over the challenging goalkeeper into the right hand corner of the goal.
GDF almost levelled the score in the 21st minute through a Delwyn Fraser right-footed strike from within the left side of the penalty box which was denied smartly by Santos custodian Richard Reynolds at point blank range.
The army unit would eventually level the score line in the 42nd minute through a Kennard Simon penalty kick.
Awarded the spot kick following a wild challenge on Tyson Carmichael by Rawle Ramsay inside the left side of the box, Simon would place his effort beyond the reach of the diving Reynolds as half time ended 1-1.
GDF should have taken the lead in the 49th minute of the second period but a Desford Williams strike from inside the centre of the box went straight to Reynolds with no power whatsoever.
Santos would find what would prove to be the go-ahead winner in the 57th minute through their Surinamese import Christoff Wensly.
Running into the left side of the penalty box to collect a crossed ball, Wensly would power his flat left footed strike past goalkeeper Delon Younge low to his right at his first post, into the back of the net.
Devon Harris almost restored parity to proceedings in the 79th minute for GDF with a right footed strike from outside the box that was denied by the outstretch arms of Reynolds diving full stretch to his left.
Dwain Babb, coach of the winning side during an invited comment said:”It was a very tough game in terms of tactics. The players really had to hold because GDF had the pressure on us for most of the game. We had three chances and we scored two.
“Even though we were outplayed, we were still able to score the chances. They had a few chances but they couldn’t convert,” added Babb.
Coach of the losing side, Denzil Thompson said:”It was hard luck, the ball just didn’t seem to go into the net. I am pleased though with the brand of football being played by GDF even in the wet condition.
“I am pleased with the performance and what I am getting from the team, there is nothing to complain about,” said Thompson.
Santos will now battle Slingerz FC in the grand final at the Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) ground tomorrow.
The Vergenoegen side who are often referred to as ‘FC Hollywood’, booked their final’s berth with a 1-0 win over BK Western Tigers in the second semi-final fixture.
