A BRACE from forward Ataulla Guerra (15th and 85th) and one from Sean De Sliva saw Central FC, the Couva Sharks, defeat Alpha United 3-1 at the Guyana National Stadium yesterday in the final Group One match in this year’s Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Club Championship. The win means the debutant Trinidad and Tobago club will advance to the second stage, set for May 20-22, when they will play for a chance to represent the Caribbean at the CONCACAF

Champions League.

It was pretty much a one-sided contest with the visitors enjoying the bulk of the possession. Alpha United were never really in the game despite Konata Manning scoring a 43rd-minute beauty from a free kick taken about 25 yards from goal.
Central made five changes to their 2-0 victorious side that played against Inter Moengotapoe, while Alpha United made one, bringing in Calvin Shepherd for defender Quincy Madramootoo – a move which turned around to haunt coach Wayne Dover in the contest with the ‘Trinis’.
Alpha Untied put together the game’s first real threat on goal when captain Gregory Richardson found Shepherd on the wing, but when the ball was sent to Kithson Bain, the Grenadian’s touch was not enough to get the ball past Jan-Michael Williams.
That was seven minutes into the contest and was all Alpha United could have put together since it was all about Central FC after that.
Eight minutes later, Guerra got his first of two goals on the night. The tall, well-built forward scored from a build-up between skipper Marvin Oliver and Dwight Quintero as the Trinidad and Tobago international hammered a left-footed rocket on goal which deceived Alpha’s Ronson Williams who thought the ball was going wide – a complete goalkeeping blunder to give Central the 1-0 lead.
A minute later De Silva, given a ‘through ball’ from Guerra, found himself one-on-one with Williams and Central goal-getter finished with a classic right-footed shot past the sprawling Alpha United custodian.
Sitting comfortably with a 2-0 cushion, Central FC searched for their third goal but it was Alpha United who found their first from Manning.

Richardson was brought down on an attack and Manning and Manuel Vargas stood over the ball after it was placed on the spot by referee Bryan Willet. After the Antiguan sounded his whistle, it was the dreadlocked player who would hit it – not too soft, nor too hard – just perfect to beat a flying Jan-Michaels Williams to the top right corner of the goal.
Halftime and Alpha United trailed 2-1.
Tried they did, but Alpha United were not as fit as Central FC and it showed as oftentimes the players were seen walking on the pitch, Coach Dover could only bow his head in dismay.
On the opposite side of the bench, Central FC’s Terry Fenwick, the former England international implored his unit to press Alpha United, noticing the Guyanese club’s weakness – fitness!
Bringing on his hero from their previous game in the group, Fenwick pushed Willis Plaza forward and he played through to Darren Mitchell who was brought down in the penalty area by Wayne Ellis.
Guerra stepped up to the kick and the experienced forward made no mistake, hitting it hard to beat Ronson Williams who went the right side, but not high enough to get a glove on the ball.
It was the nail in the coffin, the last ‘hooray’ in the game and Central FC held on for a comfortable 3-1 win.

By Rawle Toney