Slingerz FC/NAWF Goal for Gold C/ships…Titles at stake as Alpha tackles Slingerz; Georgetown women face off with Berbice

Aug 30, 2013 Sports

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The organisers had promised a pulsating encounter when Slingerz Football Club (SFC) faced off with the Western Tigers FC in the SFC/National Association of Women’s Football Goal for Gold football championships at the Georgetown Football Club Ground, Wednesday evening last and those two teams did not disappoint. The Georgetown women’s team humiliated Berbice 9-0 to book a spot in the finals against Bartica scheduled for Sunday evening while Slingerz FC displayed grit and determination to cart off the honours 3-2 from an equally determined Western Tigers FC.
That encounter was arguably the best match witnessed to date in the tournament against two evenly matched teams. In the end it was Slingerz that rebounded from a 1 nil deficit to capture the honours and set up a potentially thrilling duel with Alpha ‘The Hammer’ United FC at the same venue on Sunday September 1 next.

Football buffs received an inkling of what was to come from the very first whistle when Western Tigers took control and kept the ball in the opposition’s half for most of the initial exchanges. The dependable Devon Millington broke away early in the game and adeptly advanced to the opposition’s half in what looked like a sure goal; his efforts were thwarted by a stout Western Tigers defence unit manned by capable players the likes of Trevon Lythcott, Solomon Austin and Ryan Adolph.
Stellon David patrolled the mid field area and was easily the more energetic of the Western Tigers front men, keeping the ball in the opposition’s half while engaged in sharp passes among his other colleagues sharing his berth. It was during one of these exchanges that Bertrum Pedro earned a free kick just outside the box after he was fouled by a Slingerz defence player. His shot was spot on but the Slingerz custodian, Simon Emmanuel was at the top of his game and swiftly scooped up the ball, clutching it to his chest.
The team from West Ruimveldt remained undaunted and it was not long afterwards when they were awarded another free kick and this time David took matters into his own hands and delivered a swirling left foot kick that breached the improvised wall as well as Emmanuel to send his team ahead in the 23rdminute of play.
Despite the one goal deficit, Slingerz continued to toil and their point man, Dwayne Jacobs, looked threatening on the left flank; his efforts were rendered inconsequential as the Tigers’ goalie, Derek Carter demonstrated the kind of skill that has earned him the envious title of one of the best custodians locally. He was acrobatic between the uprights and one spectacular feat saw him flinging himself to the right to punch out a ferocious kick. Millington collected the rebound and delivered a fierce kick but Carter was up to the task, flinging his body to the left to block the rebound strike. It was truly football at its best.
The Slingerz strike force of Jacobs and Verlon Mills in the midfield, supported by Devon Millington and Jason McAulay continued to press for the equalizer and were duly rewarded when the latter player collected a pin point offering on his ‘sugar foot,’ swivelled and buried the ball to bring the situation back to equilibrium in the 32nd minute.
The battle for ascendancy continued unabated and when the players bundled in front of Western Tigers’ goal with the ball passing dangerously close to the goal mouth, Leroy Pedro attempted to clear the ball but inadvertently pasted his own keeper to give the advantage to Slingerz in the 41st minutes by dint of a goal default shortly before the break.
The team from West Ruimveldt paid special attention to danger man, Devon Millington, whose fleet footed advances threatened to steal the game from them. For that reason, the dapper striker found the going tough and was unable to score as freely as he would have wished. This ploy placed the Tigers at a disadvantage as they used up key resources to keep Millington in check which resulted in Clive Nobriega making the breakthrough with a fierce right foot strike that breached everything in its way to put the Slingerz comfortable ahead 3-1.
The drama was not yet done as the Tiger’s fought ferociously to pierce the opposition’s goal. Their efforts paid dividends when Jerome Richardson tucked in his team’s second success in the 79th minute.
The effort sent the fans into frenzy, even as the Tigers upped the ante; in the end it proved to be an anti-climax as the Slingerz crew employed delayed tactics, playing around with the ball while retaining possession for most of the remaining minutes. The final whistle sent their fans into frenzied jubilation.
Meanwhile, the Georgetown women had a field day against their Berbice foes on the back of goals from Althea Holligan (45, 60), Kendra Thomas (38, 55), Collette Hope (26, 13) and Andrea Lashley (6, 34); Nashana Costello netted in the 30th minute to cap the onslaught.
Berbice will now play West Demerara in the third place playoff in the women’s competition tonight while West Ruimveldt tackles Campton for the 3rd place slot in the men’s competition.
Slingerz returns on Sunday to face off with Alpha ‘The Hammer’ United for championship honours and the two million dollars first prize while Bartica will battle Georgetown for the women’s title and the $250,000 first place prize.

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