By Kizan Brumell
Alpha ‘The Hammer’ United persevered to pull of a thrilling come-from-behind 3-1 victory over Sunburst Camptown on Sunday evening in the Fruta Conquerors organized Namilco Football Festival Knockout Tournament replayed semi-final at the Tucville Playfield.
The victory sets up a final showdown between Alpha United and BK International Western Tigers while Sunburst Camptown will now oppose Fruta Conquerors in the third-place match on November 30.
Camptown commanded the ball in the early minutes of the first half and that possession led to the first goal.
Nigel ‘Powers’ Codrington was more tactical than forceful which is normally the case at the goal mouth by players who try to blast the ball past the custodian rather than safely guiding it into the back of the net.
Powers took the safer, surer route when, after receiving the ball on the left flank, he lobbed it over a diving Alpha custodian into the right hand corner of the net to put Sunburst Camptown ahead in the 31st minute.
With Camptown defending their lead while keeping an eye out for scoring opportunities Alpha slowly began to take control of the game and more plays were being constructed in Camptown’s half. Five minutes before regulation time Elton Browne pulled of a stunner from a free kick he took on the left flank about 20 yards outside the 18-yard box which flew through Camptown’s custodian’s hands and made it’s way into the back of the net.
The goal forced the game into extra time where Alpha completely dominated with two goals in six minutes of extra time that doused Camptown’s flame.
Gordon Henry pushed his team ahead in the 95th minute blasting the ball into the back of the net after a shot rebounded off the keeper’s body.
Anthony ‘Awo’ Abrams then wowed Alpha’s supporters with the 11th minute extra time goal that put the lid on Camptown’s efforts.
