PELE TO COLLIDE WITH SUNBURST CAMPTOWN IN K&S FINAL

Dec 30, 2008 Sports

Pair down GDF and Bakewell Topp XX in semis

Gregory Richardson

Gerald Wittington

By Franklin Wilson
City sides Pele and Sunburst Camptown will square off for the one million dollar top prize in the final of the 19th Kashif and Shanghai football tournament on New Year’s Night at the National Stadium.
Pele, led by a Gregory ‘Jackie Chan’ Richardson double blacked out the Guyana Defence Force 3-0 in feature play, while Sunburst Camptown ensured that it will be an all city final when they whipped five-time champions Bakewell Topp XX 2-0 in opening play on Sunday last.
Pele, gunning for their first K&S title having lost in both finals they advanced to, have been looking very solid in the way they have been disposing of their opponents to far, Milerock 1-0, defending champs Alpha ‘The Hammer’ United 3-1 and their latest, a compact win over the GDF.
The Soldiers, who were 1-0 winners over Bakewell Buxton Stars and BK International Western Tigers 3-1, never looked threatening in this match-up, surrendering tamely to the rampaging Pele.
Richardson again was their trump card up front and continues to underline his class as a potent forward who will be misery for any defence.
He netted his third goal of the tournament 11 minutes into the clash, while strike partner Gerald Wittington who has silently been excellent support for Richardson etched his name on the score sheets in the 21st minute, doubling Pele’s advantage.
Once again playing a major role in marshalling the defence was national captain Charles ‘Lilly’ Pollard whose experience and ability to lead has transformed the whole outlook of Pele.
Pollard and company were able to totally nullify all attempts on goal by the GDF whose strikers were stifled throughout the encounter.
Richardson netted his second goal of the match, his second double in as many matches in the tournament to seal GDF’s fate in the 69th minute.

Devon Dummett (L) Lance Rolston

Pele will be aiming to make it right this time around with regard to winning the only championship that have eluded their grasp in Guyana. This is their third final ever, the last time they reached this far was ten years ago (1997/1998) when they lost to Milerock after losing the previous year (1996/1997) to Bakewell Topp XX.
Last year they were knocked out at the semi-final stage by Alpha 3-0 but turned the tables on them this year.
This is the second final this year for Pele, in February they defeated Sunburst Camptown to lift the Banks Premium Beer knock-out Cup which makes the K&S final a potentially mouth watering clash.
Sunburst Camptown, on a consistent rise back to the top came a step closer to realizing their dream of a third title with a composed 2-0 win over the most successful K&S team, Bakewell Topp XX.
Defender Devon Dummett converted the first goal in the 10th minute and Lance Rolston on an assist from Nigel ‘Powers’ Codrington in the second half, sealed their place in the championship match when he blasted past custodian Richard Reynolds in 73rd minute.
Camptown, the only team not to concede a goal in the tournament have expressed confidence in winning their third title, the last time they lifted the championship trophy was 2003/2004 defeating Topp XX.
Before that, they had won in 1993/1994 against Eagles but are keen to break that ten year jinx with victory come Thursday evening at the Providence Stadium.
Topp XX and the GDF will meet in the third place playoff prior to the final where the winner will earn $250,000 with the loser pocketing $125,000.