Elite League Promotional Play-off: Monedderlust, Beacon win to seal spots in tonight’s semi-finals

Football action on Christmas Day and Wednesday evening resulted in the semi-finalists being decided for the ongoing Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Elite League Promotional Play-off.
West Demerara Football Association’s Slingerz FC, Georgetown’s Beacon FC, Berbice’s Monedderlust FC and Upper Demerara’s (Linden) Winners Connection are the semi-finalists; the latter three bagging contrasting victories this week.
It was a Christmas gift of sorts for Winners Connection on the 25th at the Eve Leary Ground, as they enjoyed a walkover instead of facing Essequibo’s Dominators FC, who failed to show. The walkover came with a full 3 points and 3 goals.
Meanwhile, later that night, Georgetown’s Beacon FC pulled off an entertaining win over a spirited Tabatinga FC.
Anthony “Awo” Abrams was the first man to etch his name on the scoresheet, finding the back of the net in just the 2nd minute of the encounter. However, the lead was short lived as Tabatinga’s Deivision DaSilva replied almost instantaneously, levelling the scores in the 3rd minute.
Abrams would hit one back for Beacon in the 41st, and go on to extend the lead and secure his helmet trick in the 50th and 53rd. Keon Douglas then made it a 5-1 affair in the 70th for Beacon.
However, Tabatinga, in a last- minute campaign pulled two back as DaSilva and Victor Peres netted in the 75th and 85th minutes for the 5-3 final score.
Then on Wednesday night, Monedderlust FC seal their place in the semifinals with a comfortable 3-0 win at home at the Number Five Village Ground in Berbice, against East Coast’s Buxton Stars FC.
Tyron Delph put Monedderlust ahead in the 12th minute and it was only until the 45th+2 that the score would move to 2-0, with a goal off the boots of Dawit Watts. Delph completed his brace in the 85th to seal the 3-0 win.
At the end of the Group stage, it was Monedderlust, Beacon and Slingerz football clubs who topped Groups A, B, and C respectively, with 6 points each. Meanwhile, Winners Connection was the best second-place team, bagging 3 points and a +2 goal difference.
In Group A, Monedderlust FC led the charge with 6 points from two wins. Buxton Stars secured a draw in their initial game, claiming one point, while Bartica’s Beacon have yet to notch a point after playing two matches.
Georgetown’s Beacon are at the top of Group B with two wins and six points, an undefeated streak. The Rupununi’s Tabatinga were close behind with three points from one win and one loss, while Herstelling Raiders were unable to secure a point after two games, positioning them at the bottom of the group standings.
In Group C, Slingerz maintained their dominant position atop the group, clinching two consecutive wins and accumulating six points. Following closely behind are Winners Connection with six points from two victories, while Dominators failed to put points on the board.
GFF Competitions Director Troy Peters said the teams showed remarkable determination during the Christmas weekend solidifying their positions ahead of the upcoming semifinal round of the league.
“The teams exhibited an inspiring level of determination over the Christmas weekend, fortifying their standings in the groups as we move towards the pivotal semi-finals on December 29 and final on January 6, 2024. Anticipation is high for what promises to be a riveting culmination to this tournament,” Peters shared.
The Elite League Play-off semifinals are set for today, Friday, December 29, at the Eve Leary Ground. Slingerz FC will come up against Winners Connection in the first semifinal at 18:00h, while Monedderlust and Beacon do battle from 20:00h.
The teams are playing for one vacant spot in the 6th edition of the Elite League, while the losing finalist will have the opportunity to challenge Victoria Kings for their spot in the League.