– GDF pay for technical blunders
Berbice’s Cougars Football Club relegated last year’s runner-up, Guyana Defence Force (GDF) to the number two position yet again with a 2-0 victory in the final of the Bakewell Buxton Stars organised Mackeson Stout/Digicel Sweet 16 football tournament on Sunday night at the Plaisance Community Centre ground.
Competing in the prestigious tournament for the second time, Cougars displayed a never say die in each of their matches prior to the final and on Sunday night, it was no different. They outplayed their opponents, who paid for a technical blunder, thanks to their custodian Ryan Kellawan.
Cougars capitalized on the scoring opportunities that were presented and with goals from Horace Roach (60th) and Ryan Stewart (61st) were able to crown themselves the 2009 Sweet 16 champions.
GDF’s custodian Akel Clarke had been injured prior to the semifinal against Alpha United and was rested to contest the final, but his recovery was not 100%, as he was seen limping during the course of the match.
In spite of this, GDF who lost to Sunburst Camptown 2-1 in last year’s final, had the opportunity to take the lead in the fifth minute. Stellon David, who had worked his way down to the left of Cougars’ half, sent a cross to Gavin Wilson who failed to get a shot off.
At the other end of the field, a Kirk Bristol free kick taken at the top of the box, went over the bar with Clarke out of position, a shot that sent a message to the GDF players on and off the field that Cougars were playing serious football.
A see-saw battle ensued for the next 15 minutes of the game, before Roach worked his way deep into GDF’s third and sent a gem of a pass any striker would ask for to George Simmons. Good defending by Devon Harris prevented Simmons from getting a shot off.
David continued to work hard for his team, but his crosses to his teammates, especially Marlon Benjamin and Warren Gilkes were not handled properly. Cougars’ defensive line led by Bristol and including Alvin Reynolds, Kelvin Fredericks and Ron Wilson stood firm at the back.
Clarke was then called into action for GDF and he answered the call with back-to-back saves from shots that had goal written all over them, off the boot of Lawal Ahmed in the 35th minute of play.
At the other end, Wilson had a clear opportunity to put his team into the lead after eluding his markers and an advancing Kellawan, who saved the best for last, but his shot to an open goal went high over the bar.
Kellawan, who would have won a man-of-the-match award if there was one available, displayed grit in keeping with the never-say-die attitude being displayed by his teammates. He emulated Clarke with back-to-back saves of his own off Shawn Arthur, just before the half-time whistle went. Neither team had scored by then.
The second half began no differently. GDF, led by David, Gilkes, Wilson and Arthur along with support from Benjamin, Royan Morrison, Eusi Phillips and Sherlock Dowdin, conducted several raids on their opponents’ goal area.
But they faced stubborn resistance from the Cougars’ back four or a committed Kellawan who kept his side in the game with his well-timed saves, especially when faced with a one-on-one situation.
It was from one of his saves, that Cougars were able to snatch the initiative and the leading goal in the match.
He had intercepted an aerial pass from Benjamin, which was intended for either David or Wilson who were lurking in the penalty area and sent a long ball to Dexter Bennett. Eluding his marker in Morrison, Bennett won a corner for his team.
The ensuing kick was taken by the hard-working Simmons and from a goal-mouth scrimmage Roach beat Clarke with a low shot to his left to spark off celebrations on and off the field.
Barely a minute had passed when the ‘Ancient County’ team added their second goal. A visibly-shaken Clarke was caught off his line by Stewart and could only watch as the ball landed comfortably at the back of the net.
If the first goal had not awakened the eventual runners-up, the second certainly did. However, their attempts at the goal were met by a solid wall in Kellawan. David and Gilkes were guilty of over-dribbling the ball even with their team mates in open space.
The sound of referee Otis James’ whistle signalling the end of the contest, resulted in wild celebrations among the hundreds of Cougars’ supporters gathered at the East Coast venue. Cougars had snatched the $400,000 first prize and trophy, leaving GDF to settle for the second place prize of $200,000 once again.
Alpha United (5-4) took the third prize of $100,000 and Camptown had to settle for fourth places and $75,000.
Alpha were ahead by two goals to nil at half time, thanks to strikes from Dwight Peters (30th) and Edison Gomes (41st).
Lance Rawlston (65th penalty kick) and Rishawn Sandiford (90th) equalized for Camptown to send the game into extra time. However, the extra time did not break the deadlock, hence penalty kicks was the order of the night.
Alpha who are the reigning Georgetown Football Association (GFA) Premier League champions, eventually came out on top.
The presentation of the various prizes won during the tournament is tentatively set for Friday in the boardroom of Ansa McAl Limited, distributor of Mackeson Stout.
