Riding high on National striker Anthony ‘Awo’ Abrams’ helmet-trick, tournament host and defending champions Slingerz Football Club (FC) decimated Bagotsville 6 – 1 in the second annual Stag Beer/West Mashramani Champions Cup which continued this weekend at the Uitvlugt Community Centre ground.
Abrams’ four goals were backed up by a goal each from Clive De Nobrega and Devon Millington who ensured that their efforts went unmatched. Abrams was signed to Slingerz FC from Alpha ‘the hammer’ United during the last transfer window, along with six other players to form a new look roster for the West Demerara Football Association’s (WDFA) number one club.
Forming an alliance with Millington up front, it was obvious that head coach Charles ‘Lilly Pollard wanted to see how the two stars would have complimented each other and his experiment paid off in the 9th minute when Abrams and his new-found partner teamed up to score the game’s opening goal.
After receiving the assist from Abrams, Millington returned the favour eight minutes later when Abrams scored his first goal for his new club, taking the score 2 – 0. Despite the leverage the team from the West Side maintained throughout the match, Bagotsville continued to ward off relentless attacks, scoring in the 23rd minute compliments of Delon Layne.
Slingerz FC’s field setting fit that of a team who came out to press their opponents from the first whistle and with the Collin Nelson led defence all sitting well into the Bagotsville half, Layne ran on to a perfectly placed pass and caught goal keeper Jason Cromwell off guard as the two sides ended the first half 2 – 1.
After the half-time break, Slingerz came out looking hungrier than they appeared in first half and the combination of Millington and Abrams on top placed the Bagotsville team under extreme pressure.
Abrams was able to score his second goal from the charity spot in the 52nd minute after Millington was brought down in the penalty area. His other two goals (62nd and 70th) both came courtesy of Millington’s assistance.
Meanwhile in the second clash of the night’s planned double header Monday last, Uitvlugt defeated their rival neighbouring village Stewartville 3 – 0. The Uitvlugt/ Stewartville encounter lived up to all expectations, though it was Uitvlugt who book a place in the semi-finals.
An own-goal in the 4th minute and a double from Charles Stoby in the 8th and 50th minutes ended a dominant performance from Uitvlugt who will now face the biggest challenge against the defending Champions.
The Slingerz FC/Uitvlugt game will be the second game on Saturday (March 1) with Den Amstel and Pouderoyen playing in the opening fixture from 18:30 hours.
Apart from Stag Beer, Double Day rentals, Nicola’s Bar, R&K Gas station, First Choice Waters and Two Brothers Service Station are the other sponsors on board so far.
