The Timehri Panthers were crowned the inaugural champions of the East Bank Football Association (EBFA) Juicy Juice Under-13 League after the slimmest of monumental victories over Agricola on Sunday at the Timehri Red Ground.
The inaugural champions, Timehri Panthers, are jubilant after winning the Juicy Juice U-13 League
The showdown, which ended as a 1 – 1 stalemate, was not short of action, and the teams were constantly at each other’s throat in an effort to get ahead.
Panthers’ Omar Sam scored the equalizer, which was also the decider, in the 46th minute of an intense showdown which eventually earned Panthers the league win.
This league went all the way to the final match between the two sides. Interestingly, both sides kept their unbeaten records intact. Going into the game, Timehri had won their previous eight (8) matches while Agricola had won seven (7) and drawn one.
The Agricola team played very well in the tournament, but finished as the runner-up
Agricola’s Ian Daniels delivered in just the 4th minute when he worked his way past the Timehri defenders and fired past the goalkeeper, much to the delight of the throng of Agricola fans.
But in the 46th minute, there was a scrimmage in front of goal, and this allowed Sam to capitalize.
It was a fitting end to a well contested league, featuring ten (10) of the clubs affiliated to the EBFA. Diamond United took the third place trophy, while Diamond Upsetters walked away with the fourth place trophy.
Agricola won all but one of the individual awards. Timehri Panthers’ Colin David was named Best Coach of the League. Ian Daniels, who ended with 32 goals in 9 matches, was acclaimed the tournament’s Highest Goal Scorer as well as Most Valuable Player.
Fellow teammate Andel Manoharlall copped the Best Goalkeeper Trophy.
Representing the sponsor, Sureia Manufacturing, distributors of Juicy Juice, Sean Rodrigues, in remarks before the presentation, informed the clubs that the company was very pleased to be associated with the EBFA through sponsorship of the U-13 League, which no doubt brought to the fore a number of talented youths, whom he is confident would go on to represent Guyana.
The EBFA extended sincere thanks to Sureia Manufacturing for its partnership, and is looking forward to many more collaborations as they continue to empower the youths of the East Bank and Linden- Soesdyke Highway through football.
Attention will now be turned to the annual Ralph Green-sponsored Under-11 League which will kick off in two weeks’ time. The EBFA will this weekend stage a coaches’ workshop that would be facilitated by its Technical Advisor Winston Benons and GFF/EBFA Technical Development Officer Devon Winter.
