Potaro Strikers are Bartica Mash Football Cup Champions 

…Marslowe encouraged by display of football out of Bartica

Potaro Strikers and Rivers View went hard at each other in the Bartica Mash Football Cup championship game on Saturday night at the Bartica Community Centre Ground, but following a 2-2 draw in extra time, the “Strikers” carried away the spoils after the eventual shootout from the penalty spot.

The fast-paced match was interesting in its continual change of fortune for one team or the other all night. Potaro opened the scoring, before Rivers View answered with two of their own goals off the boots of Andrew Simmons. But and eventual infringement in the Potaro box accounted for the second equaliser via clinical penalty finish by Keron Spencer.
Potaro Strikers finished with a clean sheet in kicks from the spot, while Rivers View missed one, and had to settle for second place.

In an interview with this publication, BFA President Alden Marslwe was asked for his view on the level of competition, and this is how he responded, “This competition, though it was short, has served to awaken a lot of interest in the sport in our community, among players, fans and hopefully business partners. The display on the field has been very encouraging, especially in that final. We watched a very enthralling final between two talented teams, and it could have gone either way, but Potaro Strikers gained the edge by the narrowest of margins.
“We certainly must acknowledge our partners who came on board to help make this tournament a success. For a long time, we have not had that kind of engagement, mainly because the sport was at a standstill. But going forward, we expect to foster more partnerships with the business community.
“We look directly now to the Easter Season and Regatta Football.”
Marslowe also related the BFA would continue to promote short tournaments and invitationals as they patiently await word to proceed with the resumption of league football.
He explained that the BFA is dedicated to seeing its clubs continue to be competitive, and reiterated that all of the matches were great.
However, he lamented that one outstanding positive that came out of the tournament is the reality of “seeing our newest member, A.K Galaxy, reach the semi-final stage, and eventually come in fourth place”. In the third-place match, Lazio overcame AK Galaxy one goal to nil.
The tournament was promoted by Kenswell LaRose and Ted Martins, with support from the Bartica Football Association.