A mammoth home crowd witnessed the crowning of a new champion as Showstoppers overcame Shattaville Gunners 4-1 to claim the second annual Guinness of the Streets West Demerara championship on Tuesday at the Pouderoyen Tarmac.
It was the second consecutive appearance for the home side in the championship match after losing the inaugural finale to West Side Ballers.
And despite conceding the opening goal in the 29th minute to Marvin Henry, the eventual victors displayed qualities befitting of champions to overcome the deficit, mainly through a second half assault.
Despite dominating the exchanges in the first period, Showstoppers were left to rue their profligacy in front of the target.
Marvin Josiah came closest to unlocking the Gunners backline in the 24th minute, cracking his first time effort from the left side onto the right upright, after collecting a right side pass from Dexroy Adams.
The moment of luck seemed to inspire the squad from Stewartville who silenced the home support one minute before the end of the first half through a left side strike from Henry.
The second period mirrored the opening exchanges as Showstoppers continued to dictate proceedings, forcing their foes into a defensive posture.
The comeback eventually commenced in the 37th minute as Adams scored, sending the crowd into a frenzy with a strike from the left side.
Following a frenetic period with both sides trying to fashion the go-ahead goal, Showstoppers duly found the back of the net in the 55th minute, Josiah placing a first time strike into the right corner, after collecting a left side pass from Adams following a two on one situation.
With the large viewership already in a celebratory mood following the second conversion, Showstoppers increased their advantage in the 59th minute, delivering the fatal blow in the form of an Adams finish down the centre after collecting a right side pass.
The comeback was sealed one minute later as Josiah calmly slotted from the centre of the field, following another two on one situation.
With the win, Showstoppers collected $300,000 and the championship trophy while the losing team pocketed $200,000 and the respective trophy.
Both teams will represent the zone at the Guinness National Championships in the month of June.
Meeting the teams prior to the commencement of the finale was Guinness Brand Manager Lee Baptiste and Banks DIH Events Coordinator Mortimer Stewart.
In the earlier third place playoff, Harmony Ballers crushed Brothers United by a 3-0 score line. Kevin Richards netted a brace in the third and 36th minutes while Vernon Munroe scored in the seventh minute.
Due to the win, Harmony Ballers walked away with $100,000 and the respective accolade. On the other hand, Brothers United received $50,000 and the corresponding trophy.
