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Coomacka falters from penalty spot 3-1 as Topp XX capture UDFA Year End C/ship
Topp XX’s Gregory Hinds heroics hands him most valuable player award
In a tournament that was notable for its upsets, Topp XX broke that trend to walk away with a dramatic 3-1 shootout win over early giant killers Coomacka, when the final of the Upper Demerara Football Association’s year-end championship was played New Year’s Night at the Mackenzie Sports Club ground.
Businessman Nigel Hinds presents the Trophy Stall trophy to Troy Nelson coach of Topp XX after their triumph.
But, in front of a sell-out crowd which seemingly favoured another unlikely win for the team from the Mines area, this was not to be due to the heroics of the Topp XX man between the uprights, Gregory Hinds.
Both teams battled with the hope of a win in regulation play and even after extra time was ordered, there would not be at the breaker.
In the end would be heartbreak for the legion of supporters of the underdog side which had created upsets by beating the two top teams which entered this tournament in Net Rocekrs and Botafago.
But Topp XX, who had won similar tournaments before but not one of the recent Upper Demerara Football Association promoted championships, got their first taste for which was a bitter defeat for the Coomacka side.
Playing for the first time in a New Year’s game, Coomacka looked to assert themselves early after Topp XX initiated the first offensive foray. Coomacka would respond with the assistance of their goalkeeper Kellon Major who looked good in keeping out the early chances taken by Topp XX.
Nigel Hinds presents the MVP trophy and Samsung galaxy Note 9 to Topp XX’S goalkeeper Gregory Hinds after the final.
In one of the best buildups and a great switch from inside right to the left flank Coomacka would end the play with as deft left foot drive by Wheatland Thom which pierced through to beat the Topp XX goalkeeper Gregory Hinds all ends up for a 1-0 advantage, four minutes before the first half ended.
That 1-0 lead would remain for the team with a heavy tag to bear coming into the second half of play.
Topp XX, meanwhile, remained resolute in putting together their formation as Coomacka did not miss a step in countering their more known rivals. However, in the 60th minute it would be Topp XX gaining the equaliser from their forward Shawn Daniels in what was a fine effort for a 1-1 score.
With the game truly on and an expectant crowd watching, both teams maintained their offensive mode and this left their men in goal to thwart such attempts.
By the end of the of regulation time the unseeded Coomacka still had an even chance. They (Coomacka) would never recover from their opening miss and were always out of contention as Hinds would again and again make saves that ultimately gave his side the championship by a 3-1 score.
Hinds deservedly was name the Most Valuable Player and collected the $250,000 worth Samsung Galaxy Note 9 from businessman Nigel Hinds, who also handed over the Trophy Stall winners’ trophy and the Nigel Hinds Financial Services $700,000 first place cash prize to Topp XX’S coach Troy “Boy Blue” Nelson at the end during the presentation.
Nelson said his side was confident going into the penalty shootout. He opined: “I had no fear going into the penalty shootout. I had all the confidence in my man between the uprights Gregory Hinds. It was for Coomacka to ensure they can score from the spot.”
Nelson offered: “This is top XX’s time after a long wait and now that the era of the 2020’s are here it links with my team’s name of Topp XX.”
Captain of Topp XX Ryan Noel said, “I was very confident going into the penalty kicks as we had the momentum going into that aspect of the final. We fought for this for a long time and been up and down losing. This bunch of players said we are going to war and after coming close with seconds and thirds, we are now able to win a big championship like this.”
In the third place playoff game, Botafago after being down 1-0 in the second minute of play would rebound to inflict a 5-2 drubbing of Haynes and Lewis Winners Connection to grab the third place in the championship.
A Jamal Haynes double in the 44th and 89th minutes and single strikes by Floyd Headley in the 67th, Gary Velloza in the 73rd and Jashawn Moore in the 74th minutes accounted for Botafago’s goals, while for the Winners Connection it was Joel Bollers in the 2nd minute and Marmalaque Davidson in the 80th minutes.
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