Slingerz/National Association of Women’s Football Goal for Gold football championships

Sep 01, 2013 Sports

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Two capable teams; two million dollars; just one championship; who will cart off the spoils?

By Michael Benjamin
Two weeks of pulsating action will come to a delectable climax as Slingerz FC and Alpha ‘The Hammer’ United go head to head for championship honours when the curtains come down on the Slingerz Football Club/National Association of Women’s Football Goal for Gold football championships at the Georgetown Football Club Ground tonight. Indeed, the two teams have distinguished themselves as the best of the lot but, unfortunately, only one will cart off the spoils coupled with bragging rights.

Both units have swept aside their respective foes in the run up to tonight’s encounter and while football buffs are touting ‘The Hammers’ as the best side locally, that team will be wary of the grit and determination displayed by its foes in the earlier matches.
Captain of the Slingerz FC, Dwayne Jacobs, is a hard worker and marshals the left flank and though he did not contribute to his team’s 3-2 victory over Western Tigers Wednesday evening last, his skill and dexterity contributed in large part to his team’s success. Devon Millington is another dangerous striker that could upset Alpha’s plans but one suspects that ‘The Hammers,’ being cognizant of his ability, will place him under the spotlight for special attention.
Western Tigers employed similar strategies but the ploy backfired after a void was created in several crucial areas. Dangerous players, the likes of Jason McAulay, Tichard Joseph and Jacobs were left virtually unmarked to press home the advantage.  It would be interesting to see how Alpha will employ their strategy to shut down the quintessential Millington while controlling the movements of the other key players.
Alpha is also laden with stars the likes of Dwight Peters, Anthony ‘Awo’ Abrams and the two Quincys, Adams and Madramootoo, Kelvin McKenzie and Chris Camacho, all competent players with the skill and determination to take their team to victory. The team has shown the ability to work as a unit with deft passes coupled with a strong defensive line up. The goalkeeper is an important player and is oft times the man to make the difference in closely contested matches that require penalty kicks to determine the winners. While Alpha boasts the services of Richie Richards who has been tried and tested, Slingerz depends on the skills of 16 years old, Simon Emmanuel. Indeed, the youngster proved his worth in the match against the Western Tigers when he averted many pinpoint offerings to support his colleagues’ victory.  Then there are Verlon Mills in the midfield, supported by strikers Devon Millington and Jason McAulay. Indeed, a scorching encounter is on the cards.

The two coaches will be shouting orders from touch, interchanging their players while strategizing during intermission. It will be the wits of Charles ‘Lily; Pollard against the experience and cunning of Wayne ‘Wiggy’ Dover.
Those in the know would have already predicted the winner but the die-hard football fan will be extremely cautious at premature speculations. With two teams laden with stars all determined to cart off the 2 million dollars first prize, predictions might just be rendered meaningless and it would just boil down to the team that wants it bad enough.  This is a ‘don’t you dare miss it’ affair that has all the trimmings of a world title clash.
The women’s title will also be decided when Georgetown clash with Bartica in the opening match. Both teams have won their preliminary encounters in convincing fashion with Bartica defeating their West Coast counterparts 4-0 compliments of a double strike from Olivia O’Selmo with support from Kerry Thomas and Candida Ambrose. These three players will be out to replicate that feat, but will need to remember the clinical 9-0 demolition of Georgetown against Berbice where the spoils were shared among Althea Holligan, Kendra Thomas, Andrea Lashley, Nashana Costello and Collette Hope. Should these lasses retain their form then one could anticipate a tactical and bruising affair. The winners take home $250,000.
Meanwhile, Berbice defeated West Demerara on penalty kicks to take the third place Friday evening last. The match ended at a 1-1 stalemate in regulation and extra time after Abioce Heywood (14) scored for the former team and Sasha Loo (18) for West Demerara. The separation occurred during penalty when Berbice triumphed 4-3.
The third place playoff between Western Tigers and Camptown in the men’s competition ended in a 2-0 win for the former team. Solomon Austin (24th) and Hubert Pedro (27th) were the players on target for the winners. The victory was sweet for Western Tigers whose last victory over their nemesis occurred some five years ago.

 

 

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