LED by a double strike from Yannick Braithwaite and a single from Shackee Charles and Trenton Lashley, Bakewell Topp XX crushed Netrockers 4-0 to take the Man-Up Under-23 football championship when the two sides met in the final at the Mackenzie Sports Club ground, Sunday night, with Milerock recording a 2-1 win over Vasco in the third-place matchup. When it seemed that Bakewell were not able to match their opponents who were finding the space to execute passes in bunches, they found the back of the net when Braithwaite outmanoeuvered two defenders and unleashed a thunderous shot past Netrockers’ custodian Ryan Rose in the 16th minute.
As the momentum began to swing in Topp XX’s favour, it was Charles’ turn to find the back of the net and he did so by latching on to a through ball from Cleveland Thomas, and beat Rose who got a hand onto the shot.
One minute later, Topp XX’s playmaker Marcel Jansen brought the crowd to its feet when he created the opening which resulted in Lashley feeding Braithwaite who made a clinical finish with a header that sent his team up 3-0.
By this time Topp XX were all over their opponents who flattered to deceive. Topp XX side who, while not being as dominant in their buildups, were able to make it count when in front of the goalmouth to lead 3-0 at lemon time.
Deshawn Joseph was one of Netrockers’ better players but found himself with a bookable offence in the 60th minute and was given marching orders in the 65th minute when he drew another yellow card from referee Junior Inniss.
This did not help their cause as Topp XX maintained a firm grip on the proceedings and just when the game seemed to be winding down to a 3-0 finish, Lashley banged in a free kick taken from the right just outside the 18 yards box in the 91st minute.
In the third-place matchup, junior national Ryan Crandon accounting for both goals scored by Milerock in the 33rd and 75th minutes of play while Leonard Wilson levelled the scores when he netted in the 49th minute for Vasco.
The presentation of cash and trophies won during the tournament will be done tomorrow at the Health and Wellness Centre on Coop-Crescent beginning at 16:00hrs.