Alpha “the Hammer” United stamped their authority on Sunburst Camptown with a 2-0 win to capture the Alpha United 16-team Carifesta X Football final last Sunday at the National Stadium at Providence.
It was a dominant showing from the reigning Kashif and Shanghai champions and title holders of Georgetown’s 2007 GT&T Cellink sponsored premiership title after Camptown had posed early problems.
Goals by Elton Brown and substitute Wendell St. Hill in each half of play propelled Alpha United to the championship title watched by a large crowd that turned up to witness the first club tournament final at the stadium.
The Camptown side looked promising for the first 35 minutes of play with penetrating runs by Troy Prescod, Bevon Moseley, Marvin Joseph and Dexter Mollyneaux but they, however, failed to convert several golden opportunities.
Alpha’s offensive force of Anthony “Awo” Abrams, Andrew Murray Jr. and captain Shawn Bishop found Camptown’s defence hard to penetrate as the Cambelville-based team’s defensive unit marshalled by captain Orlando Gilgeous, Sherwin Cadogan and Devon Dummett stood firm and looked purposeful in the first session of play.
They, however, suffered a defensive lapse close towards the end of the first half and the game
changed dramatically.
It all started when Alpha’s point man and national mid-field player Bishop sent a tantalizing left side cross that was partially saved by Camptown’s goalkeeper Ritchie Richards.
The ball went to an unmarked Brown who powered home a right footer from close range in the 42nd minute to give Alpha United a 1-0 lead at half time.
Alpha United continued to apply pressure in the second half neutralizing their opponents and taking control of play.
Abrams, Brown and Murray and later second half substitutes Emerick Williams and St. Hill, made the Camptown defence and goalkeeper work overtime with several raids in their goal mouth.
The constant attacks paved the way for the second goal which came in the dying stages of the match from a goal mouth scrimmage after a right side cross.
St. Hill, who had replaced Murray in the attack, found the back of the net in the 88th minute to give his team a well deserved win.
Alpha United had beaten Mocha Champs 1-0, Rosignol United 7-1 and Santos 3-1 in securing their place in the final, while Camptown hammered Georgetown Football Club (GFC) 7-1, they won by default from Pouderoyen and edged out Pele in a penalty shootout in clinching a berth to the final.
Prime Minister Samuel Hinds and President of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Colin Klass accompanied by Alpha United President Odinga Lumumba met the two teams before the start of play.
In the match to determine the third place team, Santos edged out arch-rival Pele 1-0 in a dismal affair as both teams found it difficult to adapt to the fast and bouncy surface at Providence.
The game’s lone goal came in the 44th minute of play when Pele’s goalkeeper Shemroy Arthur misjudged a shot from Monkhouse. The custodian advanced to the ball it over his head and ended at the back of the net.
Alpha United for their effort carted a $1 million first prize with Camptown taking home $500,000, while Santos will receive $250,000 and Pele $125,000.
The presentation of prizes is expected to take place this weekend at a venue to be announced shortly.
