..team lost but has proven that they have the tools to match the world
ON a beautiful, sunny afternoon at the Champion Hill Stadium, Edgar Kail Way , Dog Kennel Hill, East Dulwich, London , the Guyana Football Federation(GFF) All Stars team lost a bruising contest against host team Cray Wanderers 3-4 on penalty kicks following 110 minutes of high octane action.
Witnessed by a an appreciative and vociferous crowd which included former Guyana and West Indies  cricket Captain Clive Lloyd, Guyana High Commissioner to England Laleshwar Singh, and former Guyana and Surrey cricketer Monty Lynch, the GFF All Stars won the hearts of the many supporters with a robust performance against the host team whose Chairman Gary Hillman who had predicted a 3-0 whipping of the visitors said he was impressed with their resilience and fight.
The GFF side led by USA based John P. Rodrigues who led the team for the first time showed great depth, fight and discipline to overcome a 4th minute goal headed in from a set piece by John Guest to draw level following some spirited plays.
Guest’ opening goal came at a time when the All Stars were still in the process of settling in, but once they got their rhythm going, the team made up of Guyanese players based in England, USA , Trinidad & Tobago and Guyana, took the fight to the host team.
The first goal came after a free kick was awarded just outside the box on the right side; the home team which had a sprinkling of spectators present capitalizing to the fullest as they out jumped the Guyanese defence.
Thereafter, it was a different ball game as the Guyana team gradually found its rhythm and composure urged on by the fans.
The high grass at the Stadium resulted in the ball slowing up when passes were made, something the players had to adjust to quickly.
Captain Rodrigues, did an excellent job in defense and throughout the game, prompting many fans to name him the unofficial MVP of the game.
Rodrigues, who also captains Miami FC, played with great composure as he marshaled his forces admirably.
Cray Wanderers enjoyed the better of the exchanges in the first half hour but the tide turned gradually in favour of the visitors.
The first half ended without the score changing but the Guyanese were gradually getting into the game as they got a better feel of the field.
It was clear in the second half that the local side was tapering off in terms of their fitness and the Guyanese opened the half in very offensive fashion with a number of raids.
They created many chances but were not able to effectively penetrate the Cray Wanderers’ defence.
The fact that goal was proving hard to come by did not deter the Golden Jags who continued to take the fight to the home team and were rewarded in the 75th minute when Sean Cameron chested the ball and then finished off with a clinical right foot volley to level the scores.
Full time came and met the scores unchanged, the organizers met with the home team and decided that 20 minutes of extra time would be played before penalty kicks since the game was specially arranged to mark the 150th Anniversary of the Club, the second oldest in the world.
Extra time failed to separate the two teams and penalty kicks were needed to decide the winner of the trophy at stake.
Cray Wanderers came out triumphant 4-3, second half subs Shawn Beveney and Alinani Mounter as well as Captain Rodrigues scoring for the All Stars, Sean Cameron (wide of upright) and Chris Nurse (over cross bar) missing.
The victors only missed one of their penalties.
Head Coach Wayne Dover said he was very pleased with the outcome of the game despite the result.
“I think the boys did well given the circumstances with regard to arriving in England on Friday and having just two practice sessions. They adapted well and gave a very good account of themselves.
Going forward I think that we have some exciting players who will represent us with pride and I’m very excited about this.”
Clive Lloyd whose son Jason Lloyd came on the second half to replace Ronson Williams bringing off some brilliant saves, said that he was impressed with the Guyana team who he believed had a very good second half.
Tokens of appreciation were presented to the entire All Stars team and Head Coach while the winner’s trophy was presented to Cray Wanderers.