GFF/K&S/MCYS Bounce Back Football – Final

Jan 01, 2021 Sports

---

A grudge match of sorts between Linden and Georgetown to bring the curtains down tonight

By Franklin Wilson

Kaieteur News – Football returned to a competitive nature albeit for two days on Tuesday night at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence, a venue that haven’t been used for the sport in years when the first of two nights of the Bounce Back tournament organised by the Guyana Football Federation (GFF), Kashif & Shanghai Organisation (K&S) and the Ministry of Culture Youth And Sport (MCYS) was contested.
Respective All Star teams from East Coast, Linden, West Demerara and Georgetown including some players from the East Bank of Demerara combined to bounce back against the challenges which have been presented by the world pandemic, covid-19.
It was a welcome return to some spirited rivalry and the players did not disappoint as they went about the business of outdoing each other in style. Fitness was always going to be a challenge given the inactivity for so many months but it was a good showing on the part of all four teams as their respective technical staff tried their best to outwit each other.
In the end however, it was the traditional powerhouses, Linden and Georgetown easing to wins which have set up what is anticipated to be a riveting final tonight at the same venue when the lone match will kick off at 18:00hrs.
Georgetown had to stave off a spirited challenge from the West Demerara team to earn a 3-2 win, while the opening match saw Linden playing smart and eased to a 4-2 triumph against the nagging East Coast side.
Head Coach of the Linden All Stars, Charles ‘Lilly’ Pollard, in an invited comment indicated that fitness would have always been a challenge for the players across the board given the fact that no competitive action would have been possible since early this year.
But even with that said, Pollard, a fierce defender in his playing days as well as a former National Captain, said he is of the view that players handled themselves well in the circumstances, delivering exciting moments in both matches.
“It was a good win for us nonetheless, our team has a lot of quality, but quality without practice would result in that class not coming to the fore. With regards to the final against Georgetown, most of the guys know each other and it would be a very good game. Coach Dover and his staff are doing a great job with the Georgetown team but this is a great opportunity for Linden to get back some bragging rights after a long time. I do believe this is what football has been missing, that Linden, East Coast, Berbice, West Side, Georgetown rivalry.”
Pollard further noted that it is a well known fact that Linden was the powerhouse in the early days but then Georgetown took over, “So I think now we are looking to shift back the power to the Mining Town. Yes it is a grudge match.”
Wayne ‘Wiggy’ Dover was in high praise for his team and the way they handled themselves despite the long layoff from the game. He stated that his charges demonstrated that they have the ability and potential to grow and become better; they just need to be a little more committed and work a bit harder to develop and attain their true potential.
The experienced tactician noted that once the green light is given for a return to competitive play, regular competitions would contribute to players on field development.
“Being actively engaged week in and week out would certainly go a long way in aiding in these talented players moving to the next level for themselves and the nation.”
His analysis of the match against West Demerara was that it was very competitive and exciting despite the lack of action for some time, pointing out that it could have gone either way.
“I’ve got to congratulate Coach Heywood and his staff for the work that they have done with the West Side team, they played well and seemed hungrier and wanted it much more that the Georgetown team. They took the fight to us and demonstrated good skills, coordination, technical ability, tactical discipline and awareness.”
Coach Dover also cited that it always unfortunate when a team concedes an early goal and even though they {West Demerara} did so, they never dropped their heads and continued to fight until the final whistle.
“So, it was a game of rich entertainment and I’m very sorry that fans were not there to be entertained.”
Looking ahead to the final against old rivals Linden tonight, Dover posited, “Leading to the final, I would say our approach would be just as serious as we did against the West Side team, we want to maintain playing good, scoring goals whilst conceding less so that we can come out on top. But we would not be taking Linden lightly because we all know the historical rivalry between Georgetown and Linden.”
He reminded that the lads from the Bauxite Mining Town have as their lead technical and tactical strategist, former national defender, Charles ‘Lilly’ Pollard along with some very good players.
“We would be very respectful but serious with our approach to the game so that we can triumph.”
All the action would be carried live on NCN Ch. 11, Enetworks and the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport Facebook page.
Linden All Stars: Abumuchi Benjamin (Georgetown), Sese Norville (East Bank), Curtez Kellman (Georgetown), Pernel Schultz (Georgetown), Colin Nelson (Georgetown), Shemar Fraser (East Coast), Eric Moore, Kelon Major, Omar Brewley, Omarie Gordon, Romain Adams, Deshawn Joseph, Shane Lucky, Clive Hudson, Kendall Lewis, Kevin Charles, Denzil Fordyce, Andre Mayers, Rajan Ramdeholl, Delon McAllister.
Manager – Seon Barratt, Head Coach – Charles Pollard, Assistant Coach – Troy Nelson, Goalkeeper Coach – Eon Deveira, Equipment Manager – Quacy Paddy.
Georgetown All Stars: Alex Murray, Joel Yap, Rafael Edwards, Jeremy Garrett, Lionel Holder, Trevon Lythcott, Joshua Campbell, Lazon Lord, Daniel Wilson, Job Caesar, Ryan Hackett, Kelsey Benjamin, Kimba Braithwaite, Orin Yarde, Dorwin George, Stefan Reynolds, DaCosta Aboagye, Nicholas McArthur, Delon Lanferman.
Manager – Frank Parris, Head Coach – Wayne Dover, Assistant Coach – Anthony Benfield, Goalkeeper Coach – Calvin Allen, Medical – Denzil Hernandez.

 

 

 

 

---

---