Alpha Carifesta Football Festival: Pele and Alpha book semi-final slots

Aug 30, 2008 Sports

By Franklin Wilson

Okeny Fraser

Pele, who would have lost their billing as the leading knockout artists showed ominous signs of regaining that status when they defeated 5-time Kashif and Shanghai Champions Bakewell Topp XX in the feature match of Thursday night’s double header at the GFC ground.

Host team Alpha United wasted no time in hammering the hapless Rosignol United 7-1 in the opening game of the evening, ‘Golden Jaguar’ Anthony Abrams blasting the first four goals of the encounter.

But the feature match of the night was a bruising affair between two sides missing a number of their seasoned stalwarts who are plying their trade in Pro League ranks in the Twin Island Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. This has paved the way for many promising younger players to step up to the plate.

Pele, though, can count themselves lucky as the Bakewell Boys just could not get their act together in the attacking third, with a number of chances going by the wayside.

But the Pele unit, known to be at their very best in knock-out competitions wasted no time in snatching the lead in soggy conditions at the Mecca of football in Guyana.

Okeny Fraser, one of the rising stars of the young side pounced on a loose ball in the area in only the 4th minute of the game, a goal which turned out to be Golden.

Topp XX, following their demolition of the Guyana Defence Force in their opening game, showed once again that they are as technically good as any other of the top clubs in the land and are a fit bunch also.

They were skillful in controlling the ball even with the wet and muddy conditions but that extra nip and focus up front cost them in the end.

The action was back and forth with chances being created by both teams but the Linden side enjoyed the better ball possession.

Alpha’s Anthony Abrams is kept out of the area by Rosignol’s goalkeeper Newt Mahaica in their match up on Thursday night at the GFC. Alpha won 7-1. (Kaieteur Sport/Franklin Wilson Photo)

A few shots were fired from long range by the Bakewell boys but did not bother goalkeeper Shemroy Arthur who did well between the uprights for Pele especially in the second half.

Topp XX came out blazing and missed two clear cut chances in the first 10 minutes with just the keeper to beat, but the ball found its way into his hands.

They kept up the pressure but Pele’s backline marshaled by captain Dirk Archer and Solomon Austin did well to keep out the many promising challenges orchestrated by the Linden side.

Alpha, led by Abrams’ heroics made light work of the West Berbice based Rosignol United. Abrams was on target in the 17th, 20th, 22nd and 35th minutes as he found his way easily into the attacking third of the opposing side.

Complimenting his efforts in the second half were Elton Brown with a ripping header in the 64th minute, captain Shawn Bishop with a teasing right foot shot to the near post of the Regent Road end goal in the 78th and Wendell St. Hill who completed the rout, 5 minutes before time.

The score line would have been more devastating were it not for the usual misses which has become a norm at this level.

But Rosignol were able to at least get one past Alpha’s custodian Ronson Williams on the stroke of half time, compliments of Delroy Fraser.

Only the fittest will survive for the million dollar top prize when the semi-finals are contested next Sunday at the same venue. It will be Alpha United against Santos with Sunburst Camptown taking on Pele.