Monedderlust upset Slingerz en route to Elite League spot

One of the biggest upsets in recent football history went down on Sunday night, as the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Elite League Promotional Playoff tournament concluded in exhilarating fashion at the Ministry of Education (MoE) Ground, Carifesta Avenue.
It was a win for the underdogs on Sunday night, as Berbice Football Association’s Monedderlust Football Club needled the heavily-touted tournament favourites Slingerz Football Club 1-0.
With a spot in this year’s Elite League on the line, West Demerara Football Association’s Slingerz looked unlike their usual dominating selves, while Monedderlust appeared to be a team with a concise plan.

From the onset, Monedderlust were hungry, playing an attacking game that would pay off in quick time, as the Berbicians secured what would eventually become the game winner, just four minutes after the first whistle was sounded.
A routine throw-in from near the top of the box was intercepted and prevented from going out of bounds with a head from a Monedderlust striker. Thereafter, the ball fell squarely at the feet of Bretnol Frank, who was positioned inside the box. Frank’s textbook tap-in evaded the grasp of Slingerz keeper Akel Clarke, going just between Clarke and the goalpost.
Monedderlust continued with their intensity, as Kevin Cottoy, running wildly on his lonesome, came close to making it a 2-0 game in the ensuing minutes, but his shot was off target, missing out on the opportunity.

The Berbice outfit did well to contain the star-studded Slingerz team, ensuring that the first half would end 1-0.
In the second segment, though Slingerz looked more aggressive, the cracks in their midfield continued to show and they were still unable to finish well.
It was as though Slingerz’ midfield was completely absent, with the sloppy passing in this area adding to their woes. As we would later find out, shutting down the Slingerz middle was all part of Monedderlust Coach Jamal Johnson’s plan, which continuously paid dividends throughout the 90 minutes.
As time winded down, tensions flared as questionable calls from the referee in the middle and an apparent lack of coordination with his assistants, denied a desperate Slingerz, and on occasion Monedderlust, of opportunities.
But Slingerz had their chances, though not many, to turn the tide of the game. First, it was Hector Azacon positioned squarely in front of goal, with a clear shot, but he put too much power into the kick, sending the ball sailing over the top.
Then it was Simeon Moore, in a similar position, who once again put too much into the shot, as it ballooned and connected with the top corner of the crossbar, before Monedderlust’s keeper Raynel Frank had the opportunity to gobble it up.

Nonetheless, time expired with the score still fixed at 1-0 in Monedderlust’s favour.
For, individual prizes, Monedderlust’s goalkeeper Frank was both the tournament’s best goalkeeper and Most Valuable Player (MVP), while Georgetown Football Association (GFA) Beacon FC’s Anthony “Awo” Abrams was the highest goal scorer, with seven strikes in the tournament.
On the matter of the additional playoff that will now be contested by Slingerz FC and Victoria Kings FC for the latter’s spot in the Elite League, an official close to the Federation has disclosed that the game would be played as soon as possible, possibly even this weekend. However, the Federation is yet to confirm the play-off date.
Meanwhile, prior to the promotional playoff final, the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) women’s team and the Guyana Police Force (GPF) Women battled in the GFF Women’s Division One League.
Glendy Lewis found the back of the net first for GDF in the 20th minute, but Police’s Analisa Vincent equalised in the 36th minute, capitalising on a kick from the corner. In the second half, a 52nd minute strike from Jalade Trim across the face of the goal handed GDF the lead and eventually the 2-1 win. (Jemima Holmes)