A Devon Millington hat-trick propelled Western Tigers into the final of the Petra Organization/Limacol Football Championship, defeating Santos 3-2 on Sunday at the Georgetown Football Club (GFC) ground, Bourda.
Millington equalized twice for the West Ruimveldt unit in the 40th and 54th minute, after Santos seized control of the contest, before eventually recording the winner in the 58th minute, sealing a showdown with Guyana Police Force (GPF) in the final on Saturday March 4th at the same venue.
Tigers conceded the opening goal in the 26th minute as, Ryan October unleashed a brilliant right foot volley into the middle of the net, from inside the centre of the box, after a right side cross was directed into his path by an attempted headed clearance.
Millington made his presence felt five minutes before halftime, racing into the right side of the box after collecting a 40 yard through pass from Hubert Pedro, before rifling a powerful strike into the lower left corner.
Santos retook the lead in a fortuitous manner in the 52nd minute as, a simple lobbed pass from the centre of the field, was inadvertently directed into the left side of the net by the defender Ryan Adolph’s headed clearance.
However the response was immediate from Millington two minutes onward, via a thunderous right footed effort from top of the box, which had goal written on it as, it settled into the top left corner.
The nippy forward completed his hat-trick four minutes later, slotting his effort onto the right post and into the back of the net, after racing onto another brilliant through pass from Pedro to be in a one on one situation with goalkeeper.
Meanwhile the lawmen disconnected Linden unit Winners Connection 2-1 in the opening semi-final contest. Junior Gordon gave GPF the lead in the 25th minute, directing his effort onto the post and into the back of the net, after collecting a Dwain Jacobs cross while racing into the penalty area.
Upon the resumption of the second period, GPF should have doubled their lead in the 62nd minute as, Jacobs dribbled the onrushing goalkeeper during one on one situation, only to fire his effort wide of the empty net, while being challenged by trailing defender.
GPF was then punished for the aforesaid blunder six minutes later, with Allon Garrett netting via a towering header down the centre of the net, following a right side cross from a corner-kick.
The officers would not be denied as, Lerone Charles crafted the winner in the 85th minute, directing a first time finish into the lower left corner, after collecting a perfectly placed left side cross inside the centre of the box.
Winners Connection and Santos will face-off in the third place playoff prior to the final. Victor of the event will pocket $500,000 and a trophy while the second, third and fourth placed teams will receive $300,000, $200,000 and $100,000 respectively and the corresponding accolade.
Banks DIH Limited under the GT Beer Brand, Trophy Stall and Star Party Rentals are the other companies that have thrown their support behind the championship.
