Grove B down Agricola A to win competition; Grove A place 3rd

IN a classic and heated end to the Stag / East Bank Football Association (EBFA) 7 a-side competition on Saturday afternoon last, Grove prevailed against old rivals Agricola in what was the perfect climax to an entertaining competition.

Grove B stepped up to the plate to overturn the challenge of Agricola A in the final, pocketing the top prize of $100,000 via sudden death penalty kicks. Regulation time of 20 minutes failed to separate the two sides, ending 1-1.

Grove B had the chance to take the lead in the game but having been awarded a penalty, Lloyd ‘Badai’ Matthews put the ball outside the upright. Agricola A was then awarded a penalty and Gordon Grant in hitting the ball into the back of the nets gave Agricola the lead.

As time ticked away, Grove B, urged on by their fans had to pull out all stops to even the score, and that they did, compliments of a Travis Jones goal that sent the crowd into wild celebrations.

No more goals materialised and in fading light, the ultimate decider was sudden death penalty kicks immediately after regulation time.

Despite feeling the wrath of his fellow villagers and fans when he missed the spot in regulation time, Matthews took on the responsibility of taking the first kick for Grove; this time he buried the shot in style to hand Grove the lead.

It was now Agricola’s turn to even things up or suffer a loss. Winston Rawlins was trusted with the shot and had to score but instead he hit the upright to hand victory to Grove B and the top prize of $100,000; Agricola A took away the runner-up prize of $75,000.

In the 3rd place match, Grove A made light work of Agricola B; Joel Dick netting a brace to help them to victory and the third place prize of $50,000. Agricola had to settle for the $25,000 fourth place package.

In the first semi-final, Lloyd Mathews and Denzil Crawford scored for Grove B in their 2-0 win over Agricola B while the other semi saw Agricola A getting the better of Grove A by the lone goal of that encounter which came off the boot of Travis Welch in the penultimate minute of the match.

MVP, Highest Goal Scorer and Best Goalkeeper will each receive $10,000. The presentation of prizes will be done shortly.