The die has been cast and all the players have been identified for tonight’s final of the second annual Bakewell Buxton Stars organized Mackeson Stout/Digicel-sponsored Sweet 16 tournament at the Plaisance Community Centre ground.
Last year’s runner-up Guyana Defence Force (GDF) have found themselves in tonight’s marquee match-up against the Berbice Cougars Football Club after both teams recorded hard fought semi-final victories over Alpha United and defending champions Sunburst Camptown respectively.
On their way to the final, GDF blanked Mahaica Determinators and BV/ Triumph United 4-0 before they got past Alpha 2-1.
Cougars defeated Plaisance 2-0, tournament hosts Bakewell Buxton Stars 3-2 and Camptown 5-4 on penalty kicks.
Cougars were never expected to reach this far in the tournament and how they will perform tonight against the army boys is left to be seen, but one thing is certain, they will be looking to outdo their opponents as they have done to the previous ones.
While the only big name in their lineup is former national custodian Phillip Carrington, Cougars have been playing exactly what is required for this game, team football, and can be expected to do so when the game kicks off at 21:00 hrs. They will rely on strikers Dexter Bennett, Junior Simmons, Horace Roach and Ryan Stewart. Carrington, Kurt Bristol, Ron Wilson and Hubern Angus will form the defensive line with custodian Ryan Kellawan executing duties between the uprights. Carrington can also perform this task if needs be.
On the other half of the field, will be the GDF who have been creating quite a stir in the local football arena.
They will call on the services of Stellon David, Warren Gilkes, Gavin Wilson and Desford Williams. Valuable support will come from Eusi Phillips, Benjamin and Shawn Arthur with either Delon Younge or Akel Clarke performing duties between the uprights.
In one of the three supporting games, Camptown and Alpha will battle for third and fourth place and this should be a fierce fight as both teams will be looking to redeem themselves as the competition climaxes.
Camptown will be led by Troy Prescod, Kwame La Fleur, Rishawn Sandiford, Orlando Gilgeous, Lance Rawlston and Richie Richards.
Alpha who are the national club champions will call on the services of Gordon Henry, Elton Browne, Andrew Murray Jnr and Howard Lowe, with either Ronson Williams or Shawn Johnson performing duties between the uprights. Their encounter kicks off at 18:00 hrs.
The other two supporting games will pit Upper Level Barber Shop against Sweet Point from 17:00 hrs and Georgetown’s BK International Western Tigers will face an East Coast Combined XI from 20:00 hrs.
