East Demerara Reunion F/ball tourney …
… GDF beat Kings 4-2 in penalty shootout for third place
ALPHA the ‘Hammer’ United Football Club added another title to their collection, when they thrashed Fruta Conquerors 6-1 to take the inaugural Victoria Kings/Cool Crew Promotion/Team USA/Guyana East Coast Demerara Reunion Football title on Sunday night at the GFC ground, Bourda.

The Hammers justified their position as the number one team in the country with some sizzling football. They demonstrated their skills, technique, class, and fitness as they dominated the game from the time the first whistle blew.

Conquerors drew first blood when striker Jomo Hinds rocked the net with a powerful right-foot shot, after Alpha defender Kelvin McKenzie made a defensive blunder in the 18-yard box.

Hinds’ goal made the ‘Hammer’ turn on the heat on Conquerors as Dwight Peters, Edison Gomes, and Dwayne Jacobs started to raid their opponents with speed and skills. Howard Lowe’s penalty in the 34th minute levelled the score for Alpha.

Gomes 41st, Peters 54th, Quincy Madramootoo 60th, Andrew Murray 81st and Shawn ‘Fatso’ Bishop all scored as the ‘Hammer” controlled the platy in every department on the field.

Fruta Conquerors at one time began to literally walk on the field as they were outplayed and out-knocked by Alpha United, who are virtually a national team, based on the quality of players they possessed.

Alpha won for themselves the top prize of $500 000 and a trophy; while Conquerors pocketed $200 000 and a trophy.

In the third place play-off, between Victoria Kings and GDF, the soldiers beat Kings 4-2 in a penalty shoot-out after the game was locked at 1-1 after regulation and extra time. It was the 3rd shootout of the tournament for the Kings whose strikers Reuben Morris and Orin Elias have once more disappointed them. They failed to score when the opportunities came and only have themselves to blame for not scoring in regulation time. The game was played a very hot pace and both teams had their moments.

The soldiers should have scored as early as the 3rd minute when Sheik Kamal got away from Kings’ defence, but his shot went way off target. The Kings defence had to work hard to keep GDF at bay.

Kings, who field mostly reserved players, were made to defend for almost 15 minutes as Ryan Morrison and Kamal raided down the centre and right. However, 17-year-old Alden Lawrence stood strong to prevent the soldiers from scoring.

Pierre Joseph put Kings ahead in the 44th minute when he beat GDF keeper to his right with a curving right foot shot.

Sheik Kamal levelled the score in the 55th minute for his side to ensure the game remained balanced.

Orin Elias and Aubrey Gibson missed their penalties for the Kings while Reuben Morris and Oral Lashley netted for Kings.

Kamal, Marlon Benjamin, Carlos Marian all netted for the army; while Rodwell Sandy missed his penalty.

The army pocketed $100 000 and a trophy for third spot, while Kings earned $50 000 and a trophy for fourth place.

Some of the main sponsors for the tournament were: Giftland OfficeMax, H. Nauth & Sons, Chico Ramos Gas Station, Team USA/Guyana, Colours Boutique, One Hardware Store, Body Central Boutique, Region No.4 M. Advertising Agency.