Domini Garnett hat-trick leads Grove Hi Tech to final

Dec 30, 2014 Sports

Golden Hands! Ann’s Grove substitute goalkeeper Jamal Blair is congratulated by teammates and supporter’s following his two saves against Cougars that brought them victory.

Sub. GK Jamal Blair ensures Ann’s Grove enter 1.5M frame

On New Year’s Night, January 1st 2015 next at the #5 ground West Coast Berbice, clashing for the 1.5 million dollars first prize in the inaugural Stag Super XV1 knock-out football tournament would be East Bank Demerara’s Grove Hi Tech and East Demerara’s Ann’s Grove.
The two clubs earned their places following respective grueling semi-final encounters on Sunday night at the Buxton Community Centre ground against Berbice opponents.
Ann’s Grove, coming off a major upset win against Victoria Kings proved that it was no fluke as they had to again dig deep to defeat Cougars on penalty kicks following a 1-1 regulation time stalemate, Cougars equalizing in added on time.
In the case of the Grove Hi Tech/New Amsterdam United showdown, it took extra time to decide the winner, Grove’s top marksman Domini Garnett again displaying his penchant for scoring as he netted all three goals to guide his side into the championship game.
But it was the heroics of Ann’s Grove substitute goalkeeper Jamal Blair that stood out on the night. Blair, a regular midfield player, was called upon to stand between the uprights following an injury to first choice custodian Travis Allen who suffered a suspected fractured jaw due to a collision with another player.
Blair came into the fray in the 78th minute and his inexperience was exposed when Cougars were gifted the equalizing goal in the 3rd minute of added on time (93rd) with Sherwin Parris’ shot slipping past him after being handled poorly.
This slip up handed Cougars a ray of hope in an intense battle. A heavy downpour prior to the start of the first game and intermittent drizzles during the course of the same game made conditions very slippery for the teams but somehow the pace of the matches were both high.
Cougars proved worthwhile opponents throughout the match-up but it was the brave saves of young Blair that spoiled their night. Ann’s Grove took some time to settle in and get their passes together.
Such was the intensity of the exchanges that neither team allowed the other to get into the danger zone (attacking third) without stern opposition; this resulted in neither side being able to score in the first half of play.
Breaking the deadlock was the home team Ann’s Grove, eleven minutes into the second half. Kevin Barry fired from close range and his shot sailed into the back of the nets as they took the lead 1-0.
As the game flowed from end to end and shots were taken, many wide of the uprights, Ann’s Grove were surely thinking that the one goal cushion would have been enough. They suffered a major setback however when regular goalkeeper Travis Allen was injured in a collision with another player.
Allen’s departure made way for Jamal Blair and despite his slip up which cost his team the equalizing goal in the third minute of added on time, Blair had a huge surprise in store for his teammates and fans.
Extra time failed to separate the sides, it was the fifth time in the tournament that regulation time failed to decide and the third time penalty kicks were required to decide the winner. After the first three kicks the scores were tied following flawless shots.
While Ann’s Grove sunk their next two shots, Blair saved the next two from Cougars which sent his teammates and fans into wild celebrations as their nerves finally settled and praises reigned on the stand-in goalie for a fine job under tremendous pressure.
The first game between Grove and New Amsterdam promised a match-up between the goalkeepers and strikers and that is just the way it turned out as the teams, despite the soggy conditions showed their spirits were in no way dampened by the elements from above.
Twelve minutes into the clash, it was the boys from the East who cantered into the lead through a Jamal Butts goal. It was the first goal that Grove allowed in for the competition. After regrouping, the Grove boys, led by Domini Garnett fired back with a well placed volley off a corner kick in the 17th minute to level the scores at one apiece.
Grove was now enjoying a good period of play and created quite a few chances which went a begging. Creating constant danger for Grove though was the combination of New Amsterdam leading marksman and the nippy Jamal Butts who had handed them the lead.
Equally dominant for Grove was Garnett who took center stage again three minutes to the half with another smart strike, evading three NA players, drew goalkeeper Javano Dos Santos off his line before slotting the ball home clinically, Grove Hi Tech 2 New Amsterdam United 1.
The score remained unchanged at the break and even as the teams sought to refocus at the break, fans were braking for another 45 minutes of ripping action. New Amsterdam, aware that they were trailing wasted no time in taking the attack to Grove and five minutes into the half were rewarded when Adrian Adams converted the equalizer for his side and his 7th of the competition, Grove 2 New Amsterdam 2.
There was no doubt that at this juncture that both teams felt that they had an equal chance at the 1.5 million dollars top prize. So while they were each adventurous, some caution was also exhibited as neither side wanted to give up too much of an advantage to the other.
New Amsterdam enjoyed some good moments as did Grove but no more goals were scored in the standard 90 minutes which meant that another 30 minutes of extra time (15 minutes per half) were required to arrive at the winner.
This period too was intense as it was goalless until the 117th minute when Garnett again ensured that his side nosed ahead for the second time in the encounter with three minutes remaining on the game clock and his fourth goal of the tournament.
To secure their lead, Grove employed some usual tactics of shielding the ball in the corners to run the clock down and they were successful. The final whistle by female Referee Maureese Skeete sparked wild celebrations by the Grove players and supporters. Final score – Grove Hi Tech 3, New Amsterdam United 2.
Cougars and New Amsterdam will now contest the third place game on New Year’s Day at the #5 ground with the winner set to receive $300,000 and the loser, $100,000. At stake in the final is a first prize of 1.5 million with the losing team set to pocket $500,000.
Fans can also look forward to an exciting time as the tournament sponsor will be putting on a massive after football show for the fans to have a grand time.