Botafago mowed down Net Rockers 4-1 as Donavan Francis and Jamal Haynes split the scoring as they won their first major trophy at this level in recent memory as they carted off the winner’s $1.2M prize as Net Rockers earned $600,000 when the Upper Demerara Football Association’s (UDFA) GT Beer Christmas football championship climaxed on New year’s Night at the Mackenzie Sports Club (MSC) ground.
Former champions, Silver Shattas were relegated to fourth as Eagles United won 2-1 and $300,000, leaving the Shattas to settle for $150,000 prize.
In wet conditions which created a heavy outfield Botafago would show their strength in their youthful forward line which created havoc against Net Rockers who were a tad too slow for their rampaging opponents.
Botafago collecting the championship trophy from GT Beer Brand Manager, Jeff Clements on Monday night at the MSC ground
While it was Net Rockers who settled in early and had two close shaves that caused Botafago’s man between the uprights, Wayne Wilson to show his worth as they made their threats in the centre from a hard working Clarence Huggins on the wing.
However, after ten minutes the Botafago outfit would strip the Rockers defence apart from Francis who bolted away and collected the ball as he outmaneuvered two defenders to find the back of the net with a crisp shot that went past Ryan Rose in goal for a 1-0 advantage. Soon after Botafago would again pierce through as Jamal Haynes would find his brother from the flank and with a fine delivery he scored in the 12th minute to send his team up 2-0 and the fans in a frenzy.
In the 15th minute a free kick was taken by the Net Rockers goalkeeper Rose but they in turn would test the character of the Botafago defenders as Clarence Huggins continued his fine work on the right wing.
Huggins remained a constant threat but it was Botafago defenders who would circle him and gave other problems to another danger-man for Rockers Denzil Pryce who kept trying to unleash shits without much success.
However, it was after Net Rockers looked like getting a goal that against the run of play Botafago would increase that advantage, when Francis would get his fourth goal of the tournament after accepting a square ball from Jamal Haynes, to plant it past the Rockers goalkeeper in the 61st minute of play.
In the 64th minute another chance came but this time the Rockers goalkeeper was able to make a save.
But then Botagafo upped their game and were rewarded with their fourth goal through Jamal Haynes who received a tough ball from Amar Jones at midfield and would find the back of the net again in the 72nd minute of the game for a 4-0 lead.
Not to be outdone however, it seems, Rockers would eventually pull one back through Shane Luckie who netted in the 78th minute.
But the game would see no more goals as the new champions Botafago would walk away with the majority of individual prizes at stake as Francis was named the Most Valuable Player, goalkeeper Wilson the Best Goalkeeper and Floyd Headley the Best defender.
Kendolph Lewis netted in the 60th and 90 + 1 minutes to lead Eagles United to their win over the former champions after Shattas had taken a 6th minute lead through Dexter Garraway.
