Slingerz FC and Den Amstel will clash in the finals of the West Demerara Football Association (WDFA) Vita Malta/Aqua Mist Water Knock-out tournament, after securing wins in Saturday night’s semi-finals.Playing at the Den Amstel Community Centre Ground, the ‘West Side’ Champions, Slingerz, had to depend on captain Tishard Joseph to lead them past Pouderoyen 1 – 0, while Den Amstel would want to thank Uitvlugt’s lack of judgement who forfeit their contest and lost 3 – 1.

It was half time in the Den Amstel/Uitvlugt encounter when one of the mobile lighting towers went out on the right side of the ground.

Technicians could not have remedy the lighting failure which resulted in sections of the pitch being darkened; much to the dismay of the Uitvlugt players and its supporters who thought that the light wasn’t sufficient for the game to continue.

However, the officials reasoned the players (Uitvlugt) and its management that they (the referees) thought the venue had adequate light and as such, the game would continue.

Den Amstel had the advantage by being 3 – 1 up at the end of the first half and the referees cautioned Uitvlugt that should they refuse to play, they (referees) would be forced to hand Den Amstel, but, the players (Uitvlugt) went against the Referees’ will and walked off the playing area.

However, before the rather untoward ending to the game, fans witnessed 45 minutes of intense football by the two teams.

Travis Hillman sent Den Amstel into the lead just one minute into the contest but, Uitvlugt would equalise through Keon Duke 10 minutes later.

Andre Hector broke open the game for Den Amstel ten minutes for half time when had only an empty net in front of him when Dellon Lanferman had used his slick touches to evade an advancing Uitvlugt keeper to square the ball to the eventual goal scorer who came rushing in from the wing from a well timed run.

Lanferman would then put his self on the score sheets just before the stroke of half time, making a similar run like the previous one when he fed Hector, but this time, he was able to simply pat it in the lower left hand side of the goal, out of reach from the advancing Uitvlugt keeper.

Den Amstel will now clash with Slingerz on Boxing Day (December 26) after the later had to turn to its captain to see them through.

Joseph, one of Guyana’s finest midfield players, hammered home a thunderous right foot volley at the top of 18-yards box that sailed to the top right hand corner of goal, beating a fully stretched Pouderoyen goal keeper.

Joseph’s goal came from a clearance by Pouderoyen’s keeper after Devon Millington had made his way into the penalty area and had tried, just like he did all night, to punch his way to goal.

Called ‘FC Hollywood’, Slingerz will have a chance to add another accolade to their already growing list while Den Amstel will seek to dethrone the proverbial champions.

(By Rawle Toney)