Mocha Arcadia All Stars are East Bank champs

Jul 18, 2011 Sports

By Franklin Wilson
Mocha Arcadia All Stars emerged as the best GT&T FastBall team on the East Bank of Demerara when they turned back the challenge of home team Grove in the Zone final yesterday at the Grove Community Centre Ground.

Sweet Taste of Victory!!! GT&T FastBall East Bank champions Mocha Arcadia All Stars are in a jubilant mood following their triumph yesterday over grove at the Grove Community Ground.

Following contrasting semifinals wins; the two teams entertained the large colourful crowd with some energetic play in the final game but the Mocha boys emerged victorious on sudden death penalty kicks 2-1 after a 2-2 regulation time tie.
Possession was almost even in the final with both teams finding it difficult to penetrate each other in the attacking third. What made the difference were the innovative rules; the home team capitalizing on the five (5) throw-offs violating in the 29th minute to ease ahead 2-0, Dowani Garnett scoring the six second penalty.
But with Grove also in foul trouble, Mocha made them pay when they were blown for their 5th foul much to the delight of their supporters. The reliable Sceyon Hope stepped up to take the penalty and he buried his shot past Ronald Alleyne on eth stroke of full time which pushed the game into sudden death penalty kicks.
Both goalkeepers, Alleyne and Sherwin Hope in goal for Mocha had an excellent game but only one team could have come out victors. Both teams however, will be the East Bank’s representatives in the final round-of-32 which will kick off on July 24 at the Mackenzie Sports Club Ground.
In semifinal action which preceded yesterday’s final, Mocha Arcadia All Stars hammered Jonny Nice 5-2; Sceyon Hope in the 10th, Gordon Grant 19th, Rondell Smith 15th (blue ball) and Amos Ramsey in the 27th minute were the players on target. Kacy John in the 29th minute converted for Jonny Nice.
Grove had to dig real deep to get past Timehri Hill Top Ballers by the lone goal of their encounter, a six second penalty scored by Dowani Garnett in the 27th minute.
More FastBall preliminary round action will take place today at Linden in the Bauxite Mining Town of Linden at The Mackenzie Sports Club Ground, GFC in the City as well as the Plaisance and BV Grounds on the East Coast of Demerara.