… Camptown, Renaissance play for 3rd place
FLAMINGO and Pele will clash in the final of the inaugural Lens Craft Optical/Sunburst Orange Juice (OJ) Under-15 League today at the Georgetown Football Club Ground (GFC) from 10:30 h. They both earned the right to compete for the top spot following comfortable victories over Sunburst Camptown and Renaissance, respectively.
In feature play, goals either side of play guided Flamingo to a 2-0 win over a game Camptown side. Marlon Pedro in the 20th and Colin Waterman in the 45th minute secured Flamingo’s place.
Camptown fought courageously in the final 30 minutes but just could not find the back of the nets.
In the opening game, vintage Pele blanked Renaissance 4-0. The diminutive and lethal forward Kevin Andrews was in destructive mood once again as he banged in a hat-trick taking his personal tally to seven goals overall, overtaking Flamingo’s Alpha McPhoy who is one goal less.
Going into the game, the Pele boys were always relishing the challenge of facing Renaissance, easily the most improved team of the tournament, given the performances in past tournaments.
By the end of the first half, Pele had raced to a 3-0 lead; Andrews opening the scoring in the 8th minute, Romallo Fraser scored his second of the competition in the 24th minute and Andrews again in the 27th.
Confident that Renaissance were now on the ropes, Pele employed an all-out attack in the final half but were surprised by the resistance they got from a determined Renaissance outfit. Pele were not able to dominate their opponents as they did in the first half.
Their only success came in the final moments of the half via the penalty route. Andrews was the preferred choice and did not disappoint.
Both Pele and Flamingo had set themselves apart in the Group matches topping the points table with 10 and 12 points respectively.
They have both proved that they have potent players upfront. Flamingo will be looking for inspiration from leading scorer Alpha McPhoy, who will find able support from Dapper Johnson, Colin Waterman, Andre Webber, Dellon Johnson and Marlon Pedro among others.
Pele’s challenge for top honours will be led by the dangerous Kevin Andrews, cousin of Guyana’s first MLS player Gregory ‘Jackie Chan’ Richardson, Romallo Fraser, Jerry De Silva, Ronaldo Dover, Quincy Lawrence and Wayne Murray.
The Camptown/Renaissance third place game will also be an interesting encounter as the former will be aiming to end the tournament on a high while the latter have nothing to lose and will be going after the Campbellville lads from the start.
The first-, second- and third-placed teams will be rewarded with gold, silver and bronze medals along with trophies.
Fourth place will also attract a trophy while individual awards will go to the best goalkeeper, highest goalscorer, most valuable player of the tournament; best defender, best midfield player and the most disciplined team. Kick-off time today is 09:00h.