Dragon Stout Community Cup…
Perennial heavyweights Bent Street were on Saturday crowned the inaugural Dragon Stout Community Cup Champions, dismissing Leopold Street by a 6-1 score at the National Gymnasium on Mandela Avenue.
Adrian Aaron of Bent Street collecting the championship trophy from Dragon Stout Brand Manager and tournament coordinator Jamal Baird (right) in the presence of his teammates
In a post-final comment, tournament coordinator Jamal Baird, Brand Manager of Dragon Stout, said: “I didn’t expect this type of crowd at the final, due to the brand being relatively unknown; but I am very elated with the turnout, and very satisfied with the overall outcome of the tournament.”
He further revealed, “Expect big things from the brand in the future. We envision and aim to expand the brand and the tournament to other regions; Georgetown was simply just the start.”
Bent Street stalwart Colin Nelson praised the organizers for staging the event, adding: “It was a well-coordinated tournament, and we need more events like this and for more companies to come on board, given the current football situation in Guyana. These competitions give players the opportunity to compete on a consistent basis.”
Rush Energy Drink Brand Manager Treiston Freeman (left) presenting the second-place trophy to the Manager of Leopold Street
Before a massive crowd, the star-studded Bent Street produced a clinical offensive as they smashed three first half goals to effectively seal the title and their status as Kings of Streetball.
Pernell Schultz opened the scoring in the third minute with a powerful shot into the right corner. This was followed by a Sheldon Holder goal that was bundled into the right side in the 11th minute from inside the penalty area.
The third goal came in the 14th minute, as Jermaine Beckles uncorked a left foot shot from outside centre of area into the right side.
The carnage continued in the second period as Beckles grabbed his second in the 18th minute, placing his effort into the lower right side.
Schultz followed suit to complete his brace in the 23rd minute to make it 5-0, slotting home from the right side of the penalty area.
Rio All-Stars Coach Troy Lambert (right) receiving the third-place trophy from Rush Energy Drink Brand Manager Treiston Freeman
Rafael Edwards eventually pulled one back for Leopold Street with a placed shot from the left side into the lower right corner in the 24th minute.
The aforesaid conversion was merely a blemish on the Bent Street performance, as William Europe completed the scoreline in the 27th with a shot from the centre into the right side.
With the win, Bent Street pocketed $300,000 and the championship trophy, while runners-up, Leopold Street, collected $150,000 and a trophy.
Rio All-Stars defeated Sparta Boss 2-1 on penalty kicks after regulation time ended 1-1 in the third-place playoff.
With the win, Rio All-Stars walked away with $75,000 and the respective trophy, while Sparta Boss walked away with $50,000 and a trophy.
Meanwhile, the third and fourth-place finishers would respectively receive $75,000 and $50,000 and the corresponding accolade.
In the earlier semifinal round, Bent Street came from two goals down to defeat Rio All-Stars 4-2. Schultz copped a double in the 17th and 25th minutes, while Holder and Wilson netted in the 20th and 28th minutes respectively.
On target in the loss was Trayon Bobb in the 13th and 14th minutes. Also, Leopold Street bested Sparta Boss 2-1, Edwards and Okeeny Fraser scoring in the 12th and 34th minutes respectively. On target in the loss was Ryan Hackett in the 22nd minute.
