Inter-Guiana Club Championships …
ALPHA ‘The Hammer’ United came out victorious while the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) were held to a draw when the third leg of the Inter-Guiana Club Football Championship Cup (IGCFCC) kicked off at the Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) ground yesterday.
Playing in the feature match of the double header after witnessing their fellow countrymen being held to a two-all draw despite seizing the initiative within the first half of the game, Alpha showed why they are Guyana’s top club with a commanding 3-1 victory over French Guiana’s Geldar de Kourou.
The GDF/Inter Moengotapoe match-up served as the perfect appetiser for the feature encounter, but the Army Boys can only blame themselves for having to share the points, as they allowed their opponents back in the match.
Marlon Benjamin, who began his football career with Linden’s top club Topp XX before switching allegiance, opened the scoring for GDF from a loose ball, following two brilliant saves by Moengotapoe’s custodian in the 11th minute.
Peter Parks made it 2-0 three minutes later and despite numerous raids by Moengotapoe’s strikers, the GDF managed to end the half with the score line being unchanged.
The action was different in the second half, as Viljter Ives found the back of the net within the first minute of play, a goal that renewed his team’s efforts as they were all over the GDF despite the heavy condition of the ground.
Six minutes later and the visitors got the equalising goal they were seeking, courtesy of a penalty which was given by the referee and converted by Jimmy Patrick, much to the delight of their bench.
Despite numerous efforts from both teams, the score remained the same at the end of regulation time.
In the Alpha/Geldar match, Guyana’s top club found themselves behind within the first 10 minutes of play when Souvenson Charlot found the back of the net following a goalmouth scrimmage.
That goal was the wake-up call ‘The Hammer’ boys needed as they were all over their opponents on a soggy playing area and they got the equaliser thanks to a hardworking Shawn Bishop.
Club president Odinga Lumumba called on his players to make the club one of the best in Guyana and the Caribbean at large with their on-field performance at the last AGM and they showed why such could be achieved in the match.
Alpha constructed their build-up from the defence which was marshalled by national skipper Howard Lowe with valuable support from Solomon Austin, to the midfield that was being led by Bishop.
Dwain Jacobs had a wonderful day in the field for his team and fittingly found the back of the net for his team’s second goal within the first half, after a Bishop shot rebounded off the far post with Geldar’s custodian beaten on the first.
Despite a keen tussle for ball possession in the remaining period of the first half, neither side found the back of the net as both teams’ custodian effected save after save to deny the opposition strikers.
Whatever coach Wayne ‘Wiggy’ Dover said to his team at lemon time certainly registered as they came out a determined bunch running at their opponents like a pack of vultures.
It was Anthony ‘Awo’ Adams, who was guilty of over-dribbling the ball in the first half, who scored his team’s third and final goal of the match, courtesy of the old one-two tactics with Bishop.
He celebrated in style by hugging his mother who was standing at the adjoining Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) office door, but most importantly for Alpha and their supporters, his goal sealed Geldar’s faith as their small group of supporters, who were shouting ‘Alae, Alae’ every time they touched the ball, lost their voice and the zest to do so.
All the teams were met by president of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Colin Klass, while Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Dr Frank Anthony was on hand to meet both teams of the feature match.
The action continues tomorrow, with Geldar de Kourou opposing Inter Moengotapoe from 14:00 h while the second clash will be an all-Guyana affair between Alpha and GDF and this kicks off at 16:00 h. 
The winner of the tournament will receive US$1 500, possession of the lien trophy for one year, a permanent trophy replica and twenty-five gold medals, while the runner-up will receive a permanent trophy and twenty-five silver medals.