KFC Elite League: GDF seal title defence with one game in hand

…Slingerz thump Police 4-2

The Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Football Club completed their title defence in the Guyana Football Federation’s (GFF) KFC Elite League after a decisive 4-1 victory over Santos FC on Saturday night.
And although their contest against GDF FC would likely be a dead rubber next Saturday, Slingerz FC were equally impressive in a game played at the GFF’s National Training Center (NTC) at Providence, East Bank Demerara (EBD) on Saturday, when they fended off the Guyana Police Force (GPF) FC to secure the second-place position in Season Six of the League.
The double-header began with GDF and Santos engaged in battle, with high stakes involved for both teams. GDF needed an outright win in order to seal the league early, with a draw resulting in their title defence coming down to their final game against Slingerz FC this Saturday.
Santos FC needed a win to surpass Western Tigers FC and secure fourth place in the League.

The defending champions were up to the task required of them on the night, as Ian Dooker opened the scoring in just the 6th minute. However, the soldiers experienced a bit of scare when Stefan Reynolds quickly pulled one back for Santos in the 21st minute. Kelsey Benjamin then again put GDF in the lead ten minutes later, for a 2-1 score at the half.
While Santos were unable to find another equalizer, Threvon Pluck added to GDF’s tally in the 58th minute, while Sherwyn Caesar put an equalizer far out of reach for Santos with GDF’s fourth strike, which came in the 75th minute.
Despite knowing they were now unable to still challenge for this year’s Elite League title, Slingerz FC did not slack off on the Guyana Police Force (GPF) FC, and ended up pulling off a 4-2 win to secure their second-place spot, having just returned to the league this year.

The first half between these two powerhouses was a brutal contest, as either side kept the other at bay. The first half having ended in a stalemate, the smattering of fans gathered at the Providence venue had to wait until the 59th minute, when a soft buildup in the Slingerz midfield resulted in their first goal, which came off the boots of Kemar Beckford in the 59th minute. Not long after, a penalty opportunity went the Slingerz way, and Beckford successfully converted in the 63rd.
Then Dorwin George sent some panic coursing through the Slingerz camp, as he got past their defence to tuck the ball into the corner of the nets for the GPF’s first goal, which came in the 73rd.
Almost instantly, Slingerz again extended their tally, as Beckford capitalized on a missed header from Curtez Kellman to sink their third goal in the 75th.
Beckford eventually completed his helmet trick in the 78th minute, while the lawmen’s Neron Barrow pulled one back in the 83rd minute for the 4-2 result.
The sixth season of the GFF/KFC Elite League will come to a close on Saturday, August 24, at the same venue with another double header. At 18:30hrs, Den Amsel FC will challenge Police FC, while GDF FC takes on Slingerz FC in the final game, at 21:00hrs. Neither result would be of any consequence to the top four standing of the league, which sees GDF, Slingerz, GPF and Western Tigers finishing 1st to 4th respectively.