STAG Elite League FINALE ...Slingerz to battle Alpha United in final; Pele and Conquerors play for 3rd

STAG Elite League FINALE …Slingerz to battle Alpha United in final; Pele and Conquerors play for 3rd

Jun 12, 2016 Sports

By Franklin Wilson

The cream of the crop has come to the fore once again following the semi finals of the

Julian ‘Ju Ju’ Wade (right), Trayon Bobb (centre) and Clive Nobrega – Slingerz FC.

inaugural Stag Elite League Finale organised by the Guyana Football Federation.
Playing at the Leonora Track and Field Facility on Friday night last, Alpha ‘The Hammer’ United blanked Fruta Conquerors 4-0, while winners of the GENESIS chasing the double, Slingerz Football Club, eased past Pele 3-1.
Despite intermittent rain and a steady north/easterly breeze that kept its presence from start to finish, Alpha and Slingerz proved yet again that they are the top two clubs in the Land of Many Waters.
Two goals either side of play saw Alpha dismissing in no uncertain terms, the challenge of Fruta Conquerors which had actually ended the preliminary stages of the Finale 4 points ahead of Alpha on 34.
But when it mattered, the former national champions delivered in flamboyant style with a solid display of all-round football; Conquerors on the other hand, whilst exhibiting flashes of their previous brilliance, never looked the potent side that fans got accustomed to watching.
After even exchanges in the opening minutes, it was Alpha United, Guyana’s most successful

Clive Nobrega (center) scores the equalising goal for Slingerz against Pele. Franklin Wilson photo

club at the regional and international level that gradually turned the game their way. Elder statesman Anthony ‘Awo’ Abrams on the end of an assist from Andrew Murray sent Alpha into the lead 26 minutes into the match.
Three minutes later Murray himself took the spotlight with a well directed header on his knees on a cross from his Captain Dwight Peters, Goalkeeper Dennis Edwards couldn’t deny the former national player.
Alpha kept the advantage intact even as Conquerors had very few threatening runs at Alpha whose custodian Richie Richards stood firm between the uprights. There was little change to Alpha’s dominance in the final 45 minutes and this was underscored by the fact that Conquerors were again kept off the score sheet.
Alpha were not done, however, as two more goals were added to their first half account. With four left to regulation time, Delon Lanferman rocked the back of the nets to make it 3-0 in Alpha’s favour. Daniel Wilson put the icing on the cake two minutes into added on time to seal a huge win for Alpha which sealed a date with arch rivals in the grand finale final on Father’s night at the same venue.

Trayon Bobb #26 nets Slingerz’ 3rd goal on assist from Murilo Barbosa (left), Pele goalie is floored. (Franklin Wilson photo)

Slingerz actually scored all the goals on the night, the first of which was an own goal which came as a result of poor communication between defender Kestor Jacobs and goalie Winslow McDowall. Jacobs’ back pass to McDowall eluded his feet and ended up at the back of the nets in the 11th minute which gifted Pele the lead much to their delight.
Going into the match as the only unbeaten team in their 14 matches with their only blemish being a draw, Slingerz, while not looking as clinical as they have been in the preliminary stages, did enough to keep Pele quiet, at least in terms of scoring.
Pele did have a few good moments but generally they were second best for most of the match. The Pele boys were hardly able to enjoy their 1-0 advantage as Slingerz which drew a foul just outside the area in the 15th minute made Pele pay for the infringement.
The ensuing free kick was taken by Brazilian Murilo Barbosa after a dummy by Captain Tichard Joseph. The shot hit the cross bar and rebounded into the path of Clive Nobrega who made no mistake in hitting the ball past Devon Charles.
It was no looking back for Slingerz as they aim for the coveted double of the GENESIS and FINALE titles. Three minutes after the break, Dominican forward Julian ‘Ju Ju’ Wade who had missed a few opportunities in the first half finally made it right by heading home in the 48th minute as his side nosed ahead.
Many opportunities were created by the West Demerara based side but lack of potent finishing continues to be one of their challenges as was evident.
But fine work down the left side of Pele’s goal by Brazilian Barbosa produced the goal for Slingerz. Barbosa worked his way deep into the offensive third before laying the ball off in a snappy manner to Trayon Bobb who obliged by hammering it into the back of the nets in the 52nd minute thereby sealing yet another win for Slingerz.
So it is a clash that many were hoping for and it is reality, Slingerz versus Alpha United for the FINALE championship; Pele and Conquerors will tangle in the 3rd place playoff.

Discover more from Kaieteur News

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Latest News