Proverbial wedding bells often ring for the Georgetown Football Club (GFC), calling them to the altar; but each time, the Bourda team have found themselves being the proverbial bridesmaids, holding the trail of the bride as she takes the spotlight and the accolades.
GFC fought hard, but Fruta U-20 were always in control of things
The situation was no different in the final match of the Turbo Knockout Football Tournament played on Sunday evening at the Ministry of Education Ground on Carifesta Avenue, where the GFC succumbed to the Fruta Conquerors U20 team by a margin of 3-1, after initially putting up a resistance.
Runners-up to Northern Rangers in the 2018 edition of this tournament, GFC found themselves in a familiar position on Sunday as they contested another Turbo final. They were imbued with an air of confidence as they embraced another opportunity to get their hands on this tournament’s championship trophy; and when the evenly balanced, star-studded teams began their encounter at a fast pace, the GFC ferocity looked promising in the opening minutes of the game.
Jermain Garrett fending off the GFC defence during the final
However, they figuratively bit the dust, as their Under- 20 counterparts played a better game to cop back-to- back Petra tournament wins.
The Fruta Conquerors’ strategy soon fell into place, and Rashawn Rich became class personified as he kept GFC’s Kelsey Benjamin quiet on the left wing. With Benjamin being unable to break away from the defense, and with two early opportunities having been squandered, the pressure began to take its toll on the Bourda team.
Fruta, on the other hand, seemed patient in their quest to get the job done; and got their first strike in the 16th minute, when Captain Nicholas Mc Arthur guided the ball into the goal.
Things degenerated for GFC, as they lost a player to a red card infringement some minutes later. They, however, were able to hold off Fruta for a 1-0 halftime score.
Jermain Garrett opened the second segment of play on a high for the Under 20 team with goal number 2, after he had capitalized on a cross coming in from the corner which GFC goalie Ronnell McLean failed to scoop up. As the ball slipped from Mc Lean’s grasp, Garrett needed only to ease it into the net for the Fruta second goal.
Clearly in control at this point, Fruta Conquerors focused on tightening their defense, further frustrating their opponents. Building on a series of passes from Mc Arthur and Ryan Hackett, Rayvon Bailey added a third goal to the Fruta tally in the 85th minute, and thus shut down any thought GFC might have had of staging a comeback.
Fruta Conquerors U20, receiving their championship trophy from GBI’s Raymond Govinda in the presence of GFF President Wayne Forde and Petra’s Troy Mendonca
The boys in blue and white were, however, able to pick up a consolation goal following Ravie Coates’s entrance in the final minutes of the game. Benching Coates in the final being arguably GFC’s first mistake of the encounter, Coates, who has been a fixture in the starting XI all tournament, was brought into play only when GFC were already down by 3 goals.
The decision came back to haunt GFC, as, two minutes into his playing time, Coates drew a foul inside the box, affording GFC a penalty opportunity. It was successfully taken by Kelsey Benjamin in the 90th minute, but, seconds later, the mythical Fat Lady was singing.
Speaking exclusively with this publication, Fruta Conquerors’ captain and tournament MVP, Nicholas Mc Arthur, declared himself proud of the team’s performance, and noted that the Under-20 team’s win is a great sign for the future of Guyanese football.
“Well, the team feels very proud. Just like at the press conference, we said that the team is bringing our ‘A’ game to this final and we came out successful with it. It shows a good sign for the future, ‘cause if we, as a unit, could make it far in football, at least some of the kids could get a chance like I did,” an elated Mc Arthur declared.
Fruta Conquerors pocketed $400,000 for the win, while GFC settled for $200,000.In the third-place playoff, 2018 winners Northern Rangers saved face with a 1-0 victory over Pouderoyen FC. Damian Williams was the only one to find the back of the net, in the 34th minute.
For their efforts, Northern Rangers and Pouderoyen copped $100,000 and $50,000 respectively, all compliments of Guyana Beverage Inc.
