Grove Hi Tech successfully defend title; Herstelling Raiders end dream as runner-up
STAG / EBFA Senior League 2016
Grove Hi Tech successfully defended their STAG / EBFA Senior League title ending the one round league emphatically with an 11-0 demolition of Mocha Champs when the league ended on Sunday last at the Grove Playfield on the East Bank of Demerara.
Herstelling Raiders forward, Kevin Rose battles for possession with the Diamond players
Also ending on a high is runner-up team, capping off a dream season, the Herstelling Raiders. The Raiders defeated Diamond United 3-0 in the final match of the league.
Grove, the undisputed senior champions of East Bank Demerara football once again showed their prowess with a clinical display against a Mocha side that cracked under relentless pressure from the champs.
Former National Under-17 forward Joel Dick who missed most of the season due to a knee injury returned in style to lead Grove with a hat-trick of goals; he scored in the 13th, 21st and 26th minute.
Opening for the champions which lost a single match to Kuru Kururu Warriors which ended third was Mervin Squires in the 5th minute of the match. Denzel Crawford (24th, 37th), Lloyd Matthews (28th, 39th) and Nicholai Matthews (51st, 58th) each scored a brace whilst the other goal came off the boot of Moses Fraser in the 41stminute.
Mocha did not stand a chance against the airtight defence of Grove. The surprise package of the league, Herstelling Raiders closed out with a comfortable 3-0 win over Diamond United who ended the season without a point.
Scoring for Herstelling were Kevin Rose in the 3rd minute, Ijaz Cave in the 15th and former National Under-17 goalkeeper and Herstelling Captain Quazim Yussuf from the penalty spot in the 71st minute.
The presentation of prizes which will be held shortly will see the champions Grove pocketing $300,000, Herstelling will receive $150,000, Kuru Kururu Warriors will received the 3rd place prize of $100,000 while 4thplaced Agricola Red Triangle will be $50,000 richer.
Individual prizes will go to the Highest Goal scorer, Most Valuable Player and Best Goalkeeper while the Fair Play Trophy is at stake for the Most Disciplined Team.
