GFF/K and S /MCYS Bounce Back football classic Benjamin second half strike hands Georgetown title

Jan 03, 2021 Sports

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By Zaheer Mohamed

Kaieteur News – A second half strike from Kelsey Benjamin handed Georgetown All Star a 1-0 victory over Linden All Star when the teams collided in the final of the Guyana Football Federation/Kashif and Shanghai /Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport Bounce Back Football classic on Friday night at the Guyana National Stadium.
The final of the four-team tournament lived up to expectations and provided much entertainment for those that followed the game on social media. Despite a hiatus of some nine months due to the pandemic, the quality of the game didn’t suggest that the players were out for action.
Linden All Star dominated possession in the opening exchanges. However, Georgetown blossomed nicely as the game progressed. Linden All Star did manage to find the back of the net, but the referee sounded the whistle ruling the goal off-side.
Benjamin had an opportunity to put Georgetown ahead, but his shot from inside the area went wide, while his teammate Nicholas McArthur had an even better chance to put his name on the score sheet; with only goalkeeper Sase Norville to beat after a breakaway, he sent his shot wide. Just before half time, Norville made a fine save from McArthur inside the six-yard box as the first half went goalless.
Both teams increased their pace following the break and Shane Haynes had a fair opportunity to give Linden All Star the lead, but his attempted shot from inside the six-yard box deflected the ball to the right corner after a cross from the left side of the area. As the teams continued to press forward in an effort to find the back of the net, Norville was drawn into action once again and made a fine save to deny the city side.
However, Benjamin stole the winner in the 69th minute following what could be considered a refereeing slip-up. Georgetown All Star won possession in their opponents’ half after a fowl was committed- nevertheless referee Sherwin Johnson allowed play to continue, not instituting the customary stop and start to action, but rather going with the flow. Benjamin collected a pass from mid-field and worked his way forward before finding the back of the net from the left side of the area. The goal triggered some protest some the Linden side, but it stood.
As Linden All Star pressed forward in search of an equaliser, Jermain Junior sent his shot over the bar following a pass from the left side. Georgetown Goalkeeper Alex Murray had a fine game, while their defence stood firm especially in the latter stages to deny Linden All Star.
Speaking with the media following the contest, Minister of Sport Charles Ramson Jr. said he is pleased to be associated with the event. “It’s a historic event for several reasons. We were able to do this safely during this pandemic, recognizing that this pandemic is a challenge forced us to innovate.”
“When we started to examine our options, it was important that when we have the product of broadcasting it must be of a high standard. The people who were looking at home were able to see Guyana is producing something of a high standard which is something all Guyana should be proud of. The quality of the game was impressive, especially under the circumstances. These guys have shown that they are at a good level to be able to progress quickly,” he added.
“Importantly, in doing this we have been able to provide the platform for a lot of young talent to get exposure across the country and further afield. There are many persons who are going to be recruiting players in other parts of the world. They will be able to use this as a premium example and some of the individual players can use this as a platform to sell themselves. I am happy the GFF and the MCYS have been able to form a strong partnership that we can aggressively enhance and I am proud the K and S tournament has returned. The competition was the most successful sport tournament in the country and quite possibly the region. A lot of players have used the tournament to advance their career.”
GFF President Wayne Forde congratulated all who contributed towards the successful staging of the event. “We have been able to prove to our self that we can play the sport despite the challenges and do it well. God willing the public health situation improves in 2021 I can assure the general public that we will have more events of similar nature and deliver football in the best possible way to this nation. It’s encouraging signs we have something good to work with.”
Director of K and S Organisation, Kashif Muhammad expressed gratitude to all stakeholders and said it is nice to have an opportunity to play the sport amidst the pandemic. “There were lots of followers on social media and I think we delivered well. I hope we can persist and football can continue to win. The youths were really excited and thank God we were able to give them the opportunity.”
The sponsors were KFC, Mohamed’s Enterprise, Exxon Mobil, Tiger Rentals, Trophy Stall and Bakewell.

 

 

 

 

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