Clive Nobrega’s presence ensured more fluency in Slingerz’s midfield
Slingerz Football Club have completed their return to the Guyana Football Federation’s (GFF) Elite League following a close encounter with Victoria Kings on Sunday night in the Elite League Promotional Playoff eliminator match.
Victoria Kings FC, who finished 9th in last year’s 5th edition of the League, had the opportunity to battle the Promotional Playoff runners-up for the final spot in the upcoming 6th edition. However, the East Coast outfit were not hungry enough to hold their place.
After an unusually dismal performance last week, Slingerz returned to the Ministry of Education (MoE) Ground on Carifesta Avenue on Sunday with zest and a few changes to their starting line-up.
Jalade Trim (on ball) netted a hattrick for GDF Women
The inclusion of Clive Nobrega in the mid-field, alongside Lennox Young and Deon Alfred upfront, made all the difference for the West Coast outfit as they looked a more-improved team than in the previous game.
Coupled with Victoria Kings’ apparent decision to play a more defensive game, Slingerz dominated possession and came close to finding the back of the net on several occasions. However, finishing was still a bit of a bother for the renowned Slingerz.
One of their most outstanding chances came around the 37th minute, when Deon Alfred sent a flat shot across the face of the goal from the left corner. The ball hit the goal post and ricocheted out, where a Victoria defender was present and ready to clear it.
Simeon ‘Shines’ Moore celebrating his game- winning goal
Minutes later, Lennox Young took what looked like a sure shot, but it was pushed out by the Victoria keeper for the save.
On the other hand, Victoria’s chances were nonexistent, as the half expired with the scores remaining deadlocked. But it did not stay the same for much longer in the second segment. In the 54th minute, Simeon ‘Shines’ Moore, in approaching the box, played through the Victoria defense and passed the ball off to Alfred, who back-heeled it back to Moore. Moore then set up a one-on-one (1v1) with the keeper, and opted to shoot across the goal for the game-winning strike.
Though many near misses followed, neither side found the back of the net again, for the 1-0 result.
Simeon Moore (on ball) netted the lone goal of the eliminator game
Following the match, Slingerz were presented with their Promotional Certificate by GFF President Wayne Forde. The Elite League is scheduled to commence in February.
Meanwhile, another fixture in the GFF Women’s Division 1 League preceded the men’s game, with the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) women enjoying a victory once again.
Their opponents, Potaro Strikers, did well to hold off the GDF ladies in the first half, as the 45 minutes ended with Jalade Trim recording just one goal in the 21st. However, GDF found things much easier in the second half, as Trim went on to complete her hattrick in the 46th and 56th minutes, while Sandra Johnson netted a brace in the 53rd and 63rd minutes, to seal GDF’s 5-0 win.
