Four exciting teams; two mouthwatering encounters when action continues

Feb 12, 2013 Sports

---

By Michael Benjamin

When the action in the Fruta Conquerors/Namilco One Love Football Classic tournament continues at the Tucville Ground tomorrow afternoon, four teams worth their salt will be battling to enforce their standing in the tournament and then move on to capture championship honours. In the first match scheduled for 18:00hrs, the Georgetown Football Club will oppose New Amsterdam United followed by the feature attraction, two hours later, when Alpha ‘The Hammer United FC take on Rhythm Squad FC.
Already, the pundits are predicting the winners and despite starting as the underdog, coach of the New Amsterdam United (NAU), Lennox Adams, is spewing confidence while saying that his team is approaching this game with a high degree of seriousness. “I like it when my boys are regarded as the underdogs because we are better able to spring surprises,” he declared. Mr. Adams feels that he has the artillery to win the game and move on to the next round. He will be placing his trust in former national striker, Adrian Adams and his brother, Leonardo, who plays in the midfield position. “Leonard has compiled a lot of experience and was a part of the National U-20 camp last year,” said Adams. The coach further said that his men are determined to eclipse an earlier performance in the tournament, in the 2nd edition, when they had progressed to the semi-final round; they had surrendered to Western Tigers and eventually finished in the 4th place spot.
“We will be focused and will not underrate the opposition,” said the NAU coach. He said his team is well balanced even as he boasted of the prowess of midfielder, Ray Reddock and defender, Dane Johnson. “Most importantly, my men have trained thoroughly and are in an ominous mood,” warned Mr. Adams.
Peter Lashley is the man behind GFC preparations and he scoffed at Mr. Adam’s predictions. “I have a relatively young squad but they are enthusiastic and rearing to go,” he said. Mr. Lashley admitted that he has been somewhat unfortunate in the current tournament but feels that he has learned from past mistakes. Last year his team was ousted from the tournament after losing 1-0 to Santos FC.
Mr. Lashley said that he realized that despite playing well in the outfield, his boys faltered at the conversion point. He said that he has been placing emphasis on this anomaly and once corrected, his men will be a force to be reckoned with. Among those in his lineup are strikers Keon Solomon and Duane Fordyce. They will be supported by Captain Paul Daniels and Selwyn Williams, both in the midfield position, Reshawn Hicks and Teashawn Blackman. His defense players are drawn from Allan Spencer, Vernon Halley and Ronnel Mclean.
On paper, Alpha ‘The Hammer’ United appears to have all the right tools to progress over Rhythm Squad. Touted as the top club locally, ‘The Hammers’ have just procured the services of top ball weavers, Gregory ‘Jackie Chan’ Richardson and Travis ‘Zorro’ Grant, two players that have held the seams together for Pele FC while playing for that team.
Alpha’s coach, Wayne ‘Wiggy’ Dover would also place his confidence in Anthony ‘Awo’ Abrams, Kelvin McKenzie, Marvin Joseph and Dwight Peters among others. However, though regarded as the underdogs, Rhythm Squad will remember that newly crowned K&S champions, Buxton United, had opposed the mighty ‘Hammers’ as the underdogs but rose to the occasion and ejected them from that tournament, this despite the plethora of stars. Further, Rhythm Squad has upset quite a few favourites in the past and could prove to be a dangerous proposition. Those in the know will readily warn the betting boys that it would be risky selecting a winner based on the team composition on paper. Fans will just have to be at the venue to witness the action as it unfolds.
Meanwhile, when the action concluded Sunday evening last Santos eased past Netrockers 1-0 compliments of a goal in the 80th minute off the boot of William Europe. Pele and Camptown then battled to a 2-1 finish with the former team gaining the initiative.
In the main attraction, touted as one of the better matches witnessed for some time, Pele FC triumphed over Camptown after Okeny Fraser netted the double for the winners in the 73rd and 104th minutes. Peter Parks breached the Pele custodian in the 16th minute in what was eventually rendered inconsequential.
Fifteen teams are now engaged in the preliminary rounds in an elimination format over 8 competitive playing days for a winning prize of $1.2M, while the runners up pockets half that amount. The third and fourth place finishers receive $400,000 and $200,000 respectively. Several other business places have donated other prizes including Junior’s Jewelry (one gold chain), Bayridge Taxi Service (one cell phone) and Global Technology (2 computer scholarships).
The grand final and the 3rd place playoff are scheduled for one day after Mashramani day. All matches will be played at the Tucville Ground.

---

---