Latest update February 24th, 2025 9:02 AM
UDFA/GT BEER SUPA 16… Winners Connection REPEAT as champions
Banks DIH Brand Manager Errol Nelson (right) and Linden Branch Manager Shondell Nelson (2nd right) presents the winning cheque to Winners Connection Captain in the presence of teammates following their win in the final over Hi Star on New Year’s Day.
– Top XX too good for Eagles United
Just as they had done last year, Winners Connection won the latest edition of the Upper Demerara Football Association (UDFA)/GT Beer Supa 16 Competition after registering a hard fought 1-0 win over a determined, but outclassed Hi Stars team that found the defending champions too hot to handle in the final played before a large crowd on New Year’s Day, at the Mackenzie Sports Club.
Returning to the Mecca of New Year’s Day football, the reigning champs proved to be the better team all-round, but found the Hi Stars backline an unyielding and difficult foundation to dismantle, before an act of recklessness caused their downfall that allowed them to repeat and go away $1million richer.
It started with a through ball played into the goal area from the middle that was met by the scheming Rawle ‘Boney’ Gittens, who blew past one defender, but in his attempt to draw the goalkeeper wide, he was brought down inside the box resulting in Referee Stanley Lancaster whistling for an infringement and subsequent penalty kick.
The ensuing spot kick taken by Gittens eluded the desperate attempt by the goalkeeper, before nestling in the right hand corner of the goal. The goal which came in the 65th minute of play seemed to knock the wind out of the Hi Stars side as Winners Connection continued to attack with venom, creating a number of chances, but poor finishing combined with excellent goalkeeping kept the opposition one goal away from equalising.
Gittens, who was having another good night, exhibiting his usual wizardry with the ball, spoiled it somewhat with some errant finishing.
On one occasion he had already shredded the defence and with only the goalkeeper to beat sent his shot high over the crossbar to induce frustration among the team’s supporters. When the final whistle sounded, Winners Connection fans engaged in wild celebrations as they came and saw their team win the title for the second straight year.
Earlier, both teams looked impressive as the ploy seemed to be to retain possession and create neat buildups with the respective defences well organised and quick to nullify any threatening incursions as they failed to trouble the scoresheet in the first period.
Needing to open up a bit more, both teams sent the extra player upfront in search of goals and it created opportunities for counter attacks which was what occurred when Winners Connection was able to break the deadlock and get the win.
In the third place playoff, traditional powerhouse Top XX coasted to an easy 3-0 triumph over Eagles United with Shawn Daniels netting a brace in the 16th and 60th minutes, while Terrence Aaron added the other in the 29th minute.
Among those present at the final were sponsor’s representatives Errol Nelson, who along with Linden Branch Manager Shondell Easton assisted in the presentation of prizes, while also in attendance was Chairman of Region 10 Sharma Solomon.
President of the UDFA Collis Gifth said the presentation of individual prizes will be done on a date to be announced later.
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