4th Annual GFA/Banks Cup Round Robin Knockout tournament

Jan 03, 2015 Sports

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Gregory Richardson, Dwight Peters sink GDF as Alpha FC cart off the spoils

By Michael Benjamin

They have won numerous accolades, earning the envious tab of the best local football unit and the players of Alpha ‘The Hammer’ United FC endorsed that status with a clinical 3 nil defeat over arch rivals, Guyana Defence Force, to take the championship honours when the curtains came down on the 4th Annual GFA/Banks Cup Round Robin Knockout tournament at the National Stadium, Providence last Thursday evening. Gregory ‘Jackie Chan’ Richardson contributed a brace in the 63rd and 67th minutes and assisted Dwight Peters who duly netted in the 87th minute.
The win has made Alpha three million dollars richer while their prolific striker, Daniel Wilson, carted off two prestigious prizes, the Most Valuable Player and the player to score the most goals in the competition (11). Ronson Williams was Alpha’s goalie and his theatrics contained the opposition throughout the tournament, conceding just one goal to Western Tigers in their semi-finals matchup. His efforts were noted and he justly received the prize for the being the best goalkeeper. Blackwater FC had endured a 17-0 mauling at the hands of Alpha during the preliminary stages of the tournament but drew some consolation after clinching the award for the most disciplined unit.
In the third place playoff, Pele eked out a 1-0 victory over Western Tigers after a fruitless first session for both teams. Deon Alfred eventually broke the stalemate in the 57th minute after a goal scrimmage that saw the ball bouncing dangerously close to the ‘Tiger’s’ goal mouth for several breath-taking minutes before Alfred extricated himself from the confusion to tap in a simple shot. The ‘Tigers’ are known for their fighting spirit but that variable seemed to have been lost in earlier matches and they meekly succumbed to their nemesis.
The Alpha/GDF shindig was contested before a fair sized crowd and the early exchanges were fierce as both teams attempted to assert themselves. Richardson was presented with the first opportunity to score after wending his way up to the soldiers’ defence line. He encountered an impregnable wall and was forced into a premature kick that slid down the side of the GDF goalpost.
Wilson is a dangerous player and when he attempted to break into the opposition’s territory, he was met by a staunch defence cordon. He diligently passed the ball to Dwayne Jacobs who sent in a wayward shot that slid down the side of the opposition’s goal.
Wilson then took matters into his own hand and performed a solo before unleashing a mighty kick to the GDF goal. His effort evaporated to naught after the army’s custodian, Carl Stephenson, flung himself to the right and intercepted the ball.
By now the game had picked up pace and Manuel Vargas blazed past the GDF midfielders, searching for the advantage but his strike was poorly timed and the ball flew over the uprights. The Alpha team was really enjoying a large percentage of ball possession and Wilson featured once again when he dribbled down the centre and gifted Peters a dolly of a pass on the right flank. It isn’t often that Peters errs but faced with a strong opposition defence crew, he could only manage a mistimed kick that posed no danger to the soldiers’ cordon.
The soldiers eventually upped the ante and Tyson Carmichael skillfully dribbled to Alpha’s goal but was brought down by one of the defenders, a play that the referee ruled was a bit too harsh and awarded a free kick. Eusi Phillips took the kick and swirled the ball around the improvised wall, straight into the hands of Williams.
In the meantime, Peters and Richardson were working in tandem and when the former player dribbled down the right wing and gifted the latter a pass, the crowd screamed in anticipation but the noise subsided after Richardson’s kick failed to find its mark. It was the final opportunity and both teams went in at the intermission stalemated nil all.
The heated exchanges continued into the second session and both goalkeepers were tested to the hilt as the respective frontline players raided the goals. The army then made their first change as Clifton Garraway sprinted onto the field. The soldiers then intensified their efforts and the fans were entertained with the forceful brand of play they are noted for. They kept the ball in Alpha’s territory forcing them to tighten the defence cordon; they did a remarkable job despite several close shaves and managed to retain the nil all stalemate.
‘The Hammers’ then wrung in the changes and Travis Grant was called in for Sheldon Holder. All this time, Richardson continued to work hard and when he was gifted a pass just in front of the Army’s goal his eyes lit up as he sent in a powerful shot that settled in the network leaving the army custodian, Carl Stephenson, transfixed.
Dwain Jacobs then got into the act and weaved his way to the army’s goal before sending in a thunderous kick which the GDF custodian disdainfully chucked over the bar. The applause had barely subsided when Richardson dribbled his way past the GDF defence to send in his second goal to cheers of his fans.
Daniel Wilson soon got into the act but was forced to shoot the ball from an impossibly sharp angle which spoiled his effort. Richardson was on fire and was wending his way to the opposition’s goal when he was crowded by their defenders. He exhibited superb presence of mind and gifted a pass to Peters who simply tapped it past the advancing keeper to strengthen Alpha’s advantage.
To their credit, the soldiers fought gallantly and matched their opponent’s aggression. At any other day, this might have been to their advantage but Alpha were not to be denied, retaining their advantage right down to the final whistle.
The soldiers won $1.5 million, while Pele took home $1M; Western Tigers received $500,000.
Earlier, Prime Minister, Samuel Hinds led an entourage that met the teams prior to the first whistle. He was joined by Chairman of the Normalization Committee, Clinton Urling, Alpha’s President and Vice President, Odinga Lumumba and Steve Ninvalle respectively, Banks DIH executives, Carlton Joao and Troy Peters and GFA President Vernon Burnette.

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