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Slingerz Goal for Gold football championships…Alpha Utd, Georgetown are inaugural champions in vaunted encounters
Alpha ‘The Hammer’ United FC resisted a fierce late attack from Slingerz FC to register a 4-2 victory and take the championship honours when the inaugural Slingerz Football Club/National Association of Women’s Football Goal for Gold football championships concluded at the Georgetown Football Club Ground, Sunday evening last.
Andrew Murray
Andrew Murray netted a double in the 49th and 61st minute for the winners with support from his Captain, Dwight Peters, and Kithson Baines in the 29th and 34th minutes respectively; Colin Nelson (41st) and Devon Millington (63rd) were the players on target for the losing team.
This was after the women’s title was decided when Georgetown embarrassed Bartica 4-0 to take the honours in that segment of the tournament. Sasha James led the onslaught with a brace in the 2nd and 22nd minutes, while Neshanna Costello and Andrea Lashley completed the rout in the 14th and 54th minutes respectively.
The Alpha/Slingerz duel started at a fast clip with both teams attempting to establish early dominance. Quason McAulay sped down the right flank and fed Devon Millington a deft pass but the nippy striker failed to take full advantage of the offer.
The exchanges switched to the centre of the field and Alpha enjoyed a greater percentage of control but they were made to work hard as the Slingerz front men attacked venomously. Both goalies were also tested as the ball whizzed past the respective goal mouths.
While Baines worked relentlessly to grab the initiative for Alpha, McAulay was emulating his feats for Slingerz but with both teams fresh and energetic, many an opportunity were thwarted. It took the skill and dexterity of Dwight Peters who dribbled his way down the right flank and delivered a fierce kick from a slanted angle that sped by the ‘keeper’ and nestled aback the Slingerz goal.
The players continued to battle for supremacy and a tussle just outside the 90 yards box caused the referee to gift a free kick to Slingerz. Kester Jacobs took the shot but his strike was too powerful and sailed over the uprights. As play continued both teams engaged in roughhouse tactics and it was not long before Dwayne Jacobs became the first casualty, hopping off the ground with an injured left leg and was replaced by Selwyn Isaacs.
Peters starred once again and slid past the opposition’s defence before passing the ball to Baines who slammed in Alpha’s second success. Baines sent Alpha further ahead with a stinger but shortly afterwards, Slingerz upped the ante and several shots narrowly passed Alpha’s goal mouth including a corner and a free kick before Colin Nelson narrowed the lead with a stinger that sent his team’s supporters in frenzied jubilation and the score at 3-1 at the intermission. The clock was ticking away with Alpha enjoying a comfortable lead when Millington struck to send his team closer to the equalizer.
Murray’s second success dampened their hopes even though that player faced the referee’s wrath and was sent packing after he was cited for time wasting for a second yellow card which amounted to a red. Play was held up for a short time as the players argued against the referee’s verdict. The little time left after the matter was resolved proved to be inadequate for Slingerz and they were eventually restricted to the second position in the tournament.
Alpha United pockets the two million dollars first prize, Slingerz receives one million. Georgetown women receive the $250,000 first prize, while Bartica goes home with half of that. The prize giving ceremony will be staged at a date to be announced.
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