Showstoppers still the greatest

Defending champions Showstoppers successfully retained their Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ West Demerara/East Bank Demerara zone title blanking budding rival Hustlers 2-0 Friday at the Pouderoyen Tarmac.

Dexroy Adams scripted the win with a goal on either side of the halftime interval.

Adams was the difference in the semi-final against the Money Team when he netted in the seventh minute.

Receiving the ball in the center of the field, Adams unleashed a powerful right foot shot, which slipped under the leg of the final defender and into the net sending the mammoth partisan crowd into a frenzy.

Captain of Showstoppers Hubert Pedro (centre) collects the championship trophy and prize money from Guinness representative Robeson Brotherson in the presence of teammates and Banks DIH Limited members following the final of the Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ West Demerara/East Bank Demerara Zone Championship at the Pouderoyen Tarmac. (Orlando Charles photo)

John Waldron had, in the 15th minute, fired his left foot shot wide of the top left corner after racing down the left side of the field.

Kayode King almost conceded the equaliser in the 23rd minute, inadvertently deflecting a left side shot onto the leg of the final defender in his attempt to thwart the danger.

Anthony Sancho was also denied from restoring parity to proceedings in the 31st minute, lashing a right foot shot into the leg of the final defender, after cutting in from the left side of the field.

However Adams, sealed the contest four minutes later, slotting home into the empty net after collecting a first time pass from Marvin Josiah during a swift counterattack, initiated by a brilliant lobbed pass from Hubert Pedro.

With the win, Showstoppers walked away with $450,000 and the championship trophy while the runners-up received $150,000 and a trophy.

Meanwhile, Money Team edged ESPN 1-0 to clinch the third position. Amoniki Buntin was on target in the 17th minute. Money Team won $100,000 and a trophy while ESPN pocketed $50,000 and a trophy.

In the earlier semifinals, Showstoppers edged Money Team 1-0 with Adams netting in the eighth minute while Hustlers overcame ESPN 2-1 on sudden death penalty kicks, after regulation and extra time ended 2-2.

Waldron and Kwame Holder scored in the seventh and 14th minute respectively for Hustlers, while ESPN’s goals came from Leroy Lindie and an own goal in the 22nd and 24th minute respectively.