It will be a battle of the Groves when Grove Hi-Tech opposes Ann’s Grove in the inaugural final of the East Coast Football Association/East Demerara Football Association/Berbice Football Association Stag Beer football tourney today at the No. #5 ground in the West Coast of Berbice.
Bearing the flag of the East Bank of Demerara association, Grove Hi-Tech sealed their berth to the final following an emotional rollercoaster 3-2 win over New Amsterdam United in the semi-final stage.
Domini Garnett proved to the difference for Grove in the semi-final with a timely hat-trick and they will hope that the mercurial forward can continue his scoring form in conjunction with likes of Orson Francois and Sherman Doris, if they are to emerge victorious.
Coach of Grove Hi-Tech Jermin Alves during an invited comment said: “Preparation was okay. We are preparing for the game and we will be using our normal plan. We just have to go out there and get the job done and get over easy. I saw the team play and they are not too impressive compared to my boys.”
While both sides might have taken the battle tested route, Ann’s Grove has gone a step further following consecutive penalty shoot-out wins over heavyweights Victoria Kings and Berbice unit Cougars in the quarterfinal and semi-final rounds respectively.
The East Demerara unit will be carrying the weight of the entire association and will look to the likes of Quincy Johnson, Kevin Bailey, Travis Allen and Maxton Adams to lead them to victory when play commences.
Ann’s Grove coach, Garfield Reynolds during an invited comment said: “We have prepared well so we have to go out there and get the win. We don’t want to go penalty kicks, we have go score early so that we could win the game with ease.
“I don’t want to go to penalty kicks like the last time in Victoria and Buxton grounds. We train to get early goals and relax. It’s going to be a good game but I am not afraid of them. They are fit and do the basics but they have only one player they are looking for so we have to go and shut him down to make it easier for me.”
The third place playoff will be an all-Berbice affair when Cougars FC, led by the trio of Sherwin Parris, Albert Anderson and Ron Wilson opposes New Amsterdam United and their trident of Adrian Adams, Jamal Butts and Leonard Adams at 18:00hrs.
Winners of the event will pocket $1,500,000 and the championship trophy while the runners-up will receive $500,000 and the respective accolade. Third and fourth place finishers will collect $300,000 and $200,000 respectively along with the corresponding accolade.
Individual prizes in the form of most valuable player, best goalkeeper and highest goal scorer will also be up for grabs.
