– Winners Connection and Topp XX battle for third place

By Rawle Toney
The Petra Organisation, GTT/Limacol sponsored round robin/knockout football competition will culminate tonight at the Mackenzie Sports Club Ground in Linden, with East Coast powerhouse Victoria Kings taking on Milerock.

It could’ve been an all-Linden final if Victoria Kings didn’t edge Topp XX 1 – 0 in the semi-final. Milerock advanced the finals after defeating Winners Connection 2 – 0 in their clash on November 27.

The tournament featured teams the Upper Demerara Football Association (UDFA), East Coast Football Association (ECFA) and Berbice Football Association (BFA).

Linden was represented by Topp XX, Winners Connection and Milerock; (Berbice) – New Amsterdam United and Rosignol United and (East Coast) – Victoria Kings, Golden Grove and Ann’s Grove.

With $500,000 up for grabs between the winners of the Victoria Kings/Milerock encounter, fans at the Mackenzie Sports Club Ground will certainly be in for a treat.

The team to finish second will walk away with $250 000, third-place $125 000 and fourth-place $75 000.

Victoria Kings coach Calvin Marks and his Linden equivalent Brian Joseph, have both predicted a win but it’s a final and there can only be one winner.

Joseph, whose team played its final domestic League game on Wednesday evening, said that his men are all focused on today’s game against the Kings, adding that they are relishing the opportunity to win for the very first time a competition which involves teams from other associations.

Joseph said that the team needs no further motivation, having to claw their way back into contention after losing their two opening games and to meet where they are is enough inspiration to win.

He pointed to the prolific Clarence Huggins as the lynchpin in their quest for victory, but so too are Denzil Fordyce and Randy Jerome.

Jermaine Grandison and Akeem James will marshal the backline, while Martin Leacock will be stationed between the uprights.

The former national player closed by saying that they owe the people of Linden the win and they will be going all out to do that.

Meanwhile, according to Marks, the Kings’ pursuit for victory will be led by the 41 year-old veteran Winston Pompey, who has been in scorching form and the one who engineered their win in their semi-final engagement against Topp XX with a stunning volley.

Marks added that Pompey’s strike partner Akeem Holder is also being relied on to get goals, while the in-form Alden Lawrence, who too has played a pivotal role in the team’s success to date will be called on to replicate earlier performances.

Then there is Captain Calvin DeSouza and Aubrey Gibson, two experienced players with immense skill and along with defenders Sherlock Dowding, Shawn samuels, Samuel Blackett and Obesie Johnson, the team looks loaded with talent and players capable of taking them all the way.

Mentioned was also made of goalkeeper Ron Collins, who has looked competent between the uprights and his role will be crucial in their quest for the top prize.