STAG Elite League FINALE ...Slingerz down 9-man Alpha in clash of the Titans; Conquerors thump Monedderlust

STAG Elite League FINALE …Slingerz down 9-man Alpha in clash of the Titans; Conquerors thump Monedderlust

Mar 11, 2016 Sports

By Franklin Wilson
It was billed as the clash of the big horses and lived up to all expectations with the only

Action in the Fruta Conquerors vs Monedderlust match.

down sides to the clash, rather than being the feature game it was the curtain raiser and Alpha United being reduced to nine (9) players on the field at crunch time.
Nonetheless, Guyana’s two best football sides went after each other from start to finish with Bakewell Slingerz emerging 2-1 victor’s over Alpha ‘The Hammer’ United on Wednesday evening last.
The flow of this STAG Elite League FINALE clash could have been even better had it been played on a better surface but the players did their best to work with the conditions presented.
Alpha took control of proceedings early on and found good rhythm as they controlled most of the early possession whilst creating a few chances that couldn’t be converted owing to poor finishing. But all along, Slingerz, winners of the GENESIS segment of the league, kept their composure and shape whilst putting in a few raids of their own.
Slingerz found a better flow midway through the opening half and that momentum was maintained towards the end with the score 0-0 at the half way point. Alpha it was that took the lead on the end of a fruitful run when experienced forward Anthony Abrams fired his well calculated shot past Winslow McDowall in goal for Slingerz in the 59th minute.
After taking the lead it appeared that Alpha’s players lost the focus and concentration on

Bakewell Slingerz Julian Wade (right) tucks the equalizing goal past Alpha United’s Alex Murray in the 71st minute.

the task at hand. But like true champions, Slingerz took the chance to bury their opponents by upping the ante.
Alpha was set back in the 62nd minute when Anthony Benfield received his second caution of the match. The one man advantage enjoyed by the West Demerara based Slingerz saw them squeezing in the equalizer in the 71st minute, Julian Wade beating Alex Murray on the near post.
One minute later proceedings got even more worst for Alpha when Anthony Abrams was red carded by the Referee for using abusive and insulting language to the Referee. As if that was not enough, Shavane Seaforth was evicted from the bench for a similar reason to Abrams as Alpha United cracked under pressure.
With their rivals back now to the wall, Slingerz kept the pressure at a high level even as the remaining Alpha players tried their utmost to keep things tight at eh back. They finally wilted under constant pressure when Trayon Bobb who enjoyed another excellent match banged one past Murray with four minutes to full time to hand Slingerz the lead.
Thereafter, Slingerz kept the bulk of possession by passing eth ball around as they saw no urgency in moving forward. That trend continued even with the four minutes of added on time, the final score remaining 2-1 in favour of Slingerz which further consolidates their hold at the top of the points table as they seek to win the double.
The main game saw Fruta Conquerors carving out a comfortable 4-1 win over West Berbice’ Monedderlust. Enjoying home advantage, Conquerors wasted little time in taking control of the match which started at a very fast pace.
Sixteen minutes on, Shaquelle Grant sent Conquerors into the lead with a lightning fast shot, that advantage was doubled in the 29th minute compliments of a Jamall Greaves goal. Monedderlust was able to pull one back two minutes before half time, Sean Jackman finding the back of the nets the half the deficit.
Hubert Pedro restored the two goal advantage in the 66th minute for the home team with Monedderlust drawing a red card at the same time when Travis Henry drew his second yellow.
Jermaine Junor put the icing on the cake for Conquerors in the penultimate minute to full time as they sealed a 4-1 win.
Three of the four teams that played on Wednesday will be back in action again today when action continues at the GDF Ground. Alpha United will be looking to restore pride when they come up against GDF in the feature match, the Army too will be looking to pick up another win following their 1-0 triumph over Pele in their last match.
Opening play brings together the red hot Slingerz and Conquerors in what is anticipated to be an intriguing showdown between two very ambitious sides.
Tomorrow, action will move to the #5 ground, West Coast Berbice for another double header. Monedderlust will play the main game against Buxton United with the first match between Georgetown Football Club and Pele.