Queen Street crowned Guinness kings

Georgetown champions Queen Street Tiger Bay solidified their status as the nation’s leading street football outfit, crushing East Coast champions Melanie-A 3-0 in the finale of the Guinness of the Streets national tourney on Sunday.

Played at the Demerara Park Tarmac, James Meredith started the festivities as he broke the deadlock in the fifth minute with a right footed strike into the left hand corner of the net, after collecting a pass on the right side of the field.

The East Coast side almost levelled the scores in the 17th minute as a powerfully struck William Europe left footed drive from the centre of the field, was denied by the outstretched leg of the final defender Jeffrey Newton.

However Queen Street would increase their lead seven minutes later through an Alpha Fletchman first time right footed attempt down the middle of the goal, after collecting a Jason Fredericks pass on the right side of the field.

The celebrations would then commence in the 30th minute as Deon Alfred capped off the fine showing by netting a tournament leading fourth goal with an easy finish down the middle of the net, from the left side of the field.

A section of the Tiger Bay faithful celebrating their team’ triumph Sunday night. (Orlando Charles photo)
A section of the Tiger Bay faithful celebrating their team’ triumph Sunday night. (Orlando Charles photo)

With the win, Queen Street walked away with the $400,000 first prize and championship trophy. They also earned the right to represent Guyana at the Guinness Caribbean Championship slated to commence on June 5th in Trinidad and Tobago.

They also became the first team to win hold both the conference and national championships at the same time.

Melanie-A for their showing walked away with $200,000 and the respective positional accolade. In the third place playoff, Georgetown unit Albouystown-B defeated Linden champions Eagles by a 2-1 score line.

Melvern Ross opened the scoring for the winners in the 11th minute, thumping his right footed effort into the right hand corner of the goal, from the left side of the field. They would double their lead nine minutes later as Roy Cassou scored with a clinical finish down the centre of the goal, following a one-on-one with the opposing keeper after intercepting a pass.

The Linden would pull one back in the 21st minute through a Rene Allicock right footed strike down the middle of the net, from the left side of the park. Albouystown for their effort collected the third place trophy and $100,000.

Eagles for their efforts pocketed $75,000 and the fourth place trophy. In the skill competition section, Melanie-A’s Mikel Stout was adjudged the winner. He now will represent Guyana in Trinidad and Tobago in the aforesaid division of the Guinness Caribbean Championships.

In the earlier exhibition matches, Giant Killers defeated Underdogs 3-1 while Guinness Bar edged the Media 1-0. The final exhibition fixture witnessed Clippers Barbershop and Giant Killers playing to a 1-1 draw.