Frank Watson Memorial Football championships...

Frank Watson Memorial Football championships…

Mar 01, 2014 Sports

Fruta Conquerors/Western Tigers prevail as tourney concludes

Fruta Conquerors FC suffered a 2-1 defeat by sudden death penalty to Western Tigers in the U-14 category, but their U-16 squad repaired the damage somewhat with a convincing 2-0 victory over Pele FC when the curtains came down on the action in the Frank Watson Memorial Football championships at the Georgetown Football Club Ground Thursday evening last; Nehemiah Gomes carved out a brace, one in each session to lead the senior squad to victory.

Nehemiah Gomes

Gomes’ first success was a classic, coming after he sped down the left flank and evaded the opposition’s defensive line up and deftly tucked the ball into the left corner of the goal. It was almost 2-0 shortly afterwards when Gomes made another enterprising run but was brought down by one of the opposition’s midfielders. The referee rightly called the foul and sent the offender packing with a straight red card. Luckily, the infringement cost the Pele team nothing as the ensuing free kick sailed over the bars shortly before the whistle sounded for the end of the first session.
The battle for honours resumed at the very start of the second session and it was not long afterwards that Gomes made his presence felt with a scorcher that sped past the opposition’s custodian and pushed victory further away from Pele. Two minutes later, it should have been three goals if not for a terrible blunder by Ryan Hackett. He was fed a dolly that landed on his foot just in front of the goal and he attempted to swivel into the right position for the shot. Instead, all he could manage was a limp kick which hit the upright before the Pele custodian effortlessly scooped it up.
There were a few other inconsequential raids which failed to net any further successes and when the final whistle sounded, the Fruta Conquerors team and its supporters started the celebrations. They had much more to celebrate after Gomes received the award for being the best offensive player in his category and received one I Phone.
His teammate, Jeremy Garrett was adjudged the Most Valuable Player in the U-16 category and received a lap top computer. Malachi Adonis played well for the Western Tigers and received a similar prize after receiving a similar award, this time in the U-14 category.
Orin Moore, of Pele, received a prize for being the best defender in the U-16 category, while Tyrace Tanner shone for Western Tigers and duly received a similar award in the U-14 category. Delon Clarke was adjudged the best offensive player in the U-14 category. Further, each member of the U14 and U-16 All Stars team received a gift voucher to shop for school supplies at Giftland Office Max.
Meanwhile, one of the organizers, Ivor Carrington, said that he was satisfied

The winning Fruta Conquerors U-16 ball weavers pose for a victory shot.

with the standard of play. He said that the tournament was organized to support the efforts of local administrators to boost youth football. The former footballer further urged the players to continue working hard even as he promised to continue supporting.
He disclosed that the next edition of the tournament would be staged early next year as the Pele organizing committee plans to return to Guyana in February for a similar tournament. More than 160 players from thirty teams started the tournament which got underway one week ago.