Having knocked out former champs New Amsterdam Kings in the quarter-finals, Trafalgar of West Berbice were in no mood to accommodate any resistance in the final, and romped to a lopsided 4-0 win over Lichfield to be crowned the new champions of the Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ Competition, which ended on Sunday at the New Amsterdam (NA) Stelling Tarmac.
Played before another large crowd that included Guinness Brand Manager Lee Baptiste, Outdoor Events Manager Mortimer Stewart, Berbice Branch Manager Joshua Torrezao, and Banks DIH staffers among others, Trafalgar were led to victory by Ryan Schultz, who fired in all the goals to ensure that the latest title holders not only cart off the top prize of $400,000, but also secure a spot in the
Banks DIH staffer Fraiche Kendall hands over the first prize and winning trophy to Trafalgar Captain Adrian Price in the presence of Brand Manager Lee Baptiste (extreme left), Outdoor Events Manager Mortimer Stewart (right) and teammates on Sunday
national playoffs.
Schultz’s quickness was always going to be a bother for Lichfield, and he opened the scoring in the third minute by racing down the centre of the field before firing past the last stop into the right corner.
Three minutes later he returned, this time displaying his true skill to weave past tackles before slamming a fierce shot into the empty goal, to make it 2-0.
Lichfield looked game and determined, but their lack of offensive buildups made it one-way traffic, and everyone knew it was just a matter of time before Trafalgar stretched their lead.
However, Lichfield’s defence held their nerves and nullified every other offensive threat before the half time whistle sounded.
With all to play for in the final period, Lichfield had to take chances. They came forward in numbers, but this tactic was always going to be a dangerous one; and so it proved, as Schultz took full advantage of the opposition’s strategy to punish them.
Racing onto a through pass on the left side, Schultz eased into centre field before uncorking a powerful shot into the lower right corner.
Lichfield, for their efforts, walked away with $175,000 and the runners-up trophy.
In the third place playoff, Hopetown squeezed past Outsiders 1-0 through a Marvin Robertson fourth minute strike.
They were presented with $100,000 and a trophy, while Outsiders took home $75,000 and the corresponding accolade.
Earlier, in semi-final action, Trafalgar survived a spirited fight from Hopetown, before prevailing 2-1 on sudden death penalty kicks. This was after normal time ended goalless.
On the other hand, Lichfield defeated Outsiders 2-0, Carlos Grant netting a brace in the 22nd and 26th minutes.
Meanwhile, the Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ Bartica leg is slated for July 14, 15 and 16.
uncorking a powerful shot into the lower right corner.
