Brilliant Leacock secures title for Milerock in penalty shootout

Dec 08, 2015 Sports

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GTT / Limacol Round Robin / Knockout Football Competition…

-Topp XX win in similar fashion against Winners Connection
Victoria Kings valiant effort after conceding the lead as early as the 3rd minute of

play ended in disappointment due to brilliant goalkeeping from Milerock’s net stopper Martin Leacock, who made two crucial saves in the penalty shootout to secure a 4-3 victory and the title as the curtains came down on the GTT / Limacol Round Robin / Knockout Football Competition on Sunday, at the Mackenzie Sports Club (MSC) ground.
Played before a large crowd that included Director of Sport Christopher Jones, President of the Upper Demerara Football Association (UDFA) Sharma Solomon, GTT’s Eusi Francis, Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Communications Officer Rawle Toney, Guyana’s own reggae superstar Natural Black and Petra Organisation Co-Directors Troy Mendonca and Marlan Cole, the two teams treated the fans to an exciting brand of football that lasted until a winner was decided via the penalty shootout after regulation and extra times failed to break a 1-1 stalemate.
Returning to the Mecca of their greatest achievement to date, the Kings, who had a solid band of supporters in attendance, got off to the worst possible start when Owen Williams, who was lurking just outside the penalty area sprinted on to a weak parry by the goalkeeper from a cross from the left side, before finishing with aplomb down the centre of the goal to evoke wild celebrations among the team’s supporters.
It was the perfect start for a team that begun the tournament in disastrous manner, but gradually found its rhythm, before claiming the scalp of counterparts Winners Connection who had finished the round robin phase with the best record.
The visitors squandered an opportunity to level the proceedings when Alden Lawrence outran his marker and with only the goalkeeper to beat saw Leacock make a fantastic stop from point blank range to keep their slender lead intact.
Meanwhile, leading marksman Clarence Huggins was being kept on a tight leash, not given any space to weave his magic, but broke loose on one occasion, firing just outside the right upright.
The enthralling contest went to the break with Milerock clinging to their slim 1-0 advantage as the fans braced themselves for a frenetic final period that lived up to all expectations.
Pompey just like Huggins was not given any freedom to operate and appeared to be a non-factor for the better part of the game as Milerock’s coaching staff did a wonderful job in containing him.
However, they eventually gained the equaliser in the 77th minute through Akeem Holder, who was left unmarked following a cross that was fumbled by the goalkeeper initiating a goalmouth scrimmage, before punching into the goal to give their ecstatic fans reason to celebrate.
The two teams battled hard for the ascendancy, but when the whistle sounded it signaled extra time which also failed to produce an outright winner, before spot kicks determined the final outcome and made Milerock $500,000 richer.
Victoria Kings will receive $250,000 for its effort and the runner-up trophy.
Earlier, Topp XX beat Winners Connection 4-1 on penalty kicks after their third place playoff encounter ended 2-2.
After fierce exchanges early in the game, Winners Connection grabbed the lead through the consistent Keon Sears, who netted a penalty in the 33rd minute following a hand ball infringement and that ascendancy lasted until half time.
Ten minutes after the resumption, the wily veteran Collie Hercules accepted gleefully a ball directed into his path in the box and he hit it past the keeper to level the tie which lasted until regulation time concluded.
In extra time, both teams scored with Topp XX’s Travis Waterton edging them ahead in the 95th only to see the nippy Rawle Gittens respond three minutes later to instigate a penalty shootout that Topp XX won 4-1.
With the win, Topp XX is guaranteed $125,000 and a trophy, while Winners Connection will receive $75,000 and a trophy.
Among the other sponsors on board were National Sports Commission and Sterling Products.
The presentation of prizes will be done tomorrow at Bransville Hotel on Pike Street.
The night’s full results are seen below:
Victoria Kings-1 vs Milerock-1
Milerock won 4-3 on penalty kicks
Milerock Scorer
Owen Williams-3rd
Victoria Scorer
Akeem Holder-77th
Yellow Cards
Orwin Bishop-42nd-Victoria Kings
Winners Connection-2 vs Topp XX-2
Topp XX won 4-1 on penalty kicks
Topp XX Scorer
Collie Hercules-55th
Travis Watterton-95th
Winners Connection Scorer
Keon Sears-33rd
Rawle Gittens-98th
Yellow Cards
Monty Simon-21st-Topp XX
Andre Phillips-45th-Winners Connection

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