DESPITE competing without the services of their top duo, Sparta Boss returned from a semifinal defeat to edge West Front Road 1-0 and take the top

prize when the curtains came down on this year’s Mackeson ‘Keep Your Five Alive’ Futsal football tournament at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall last Saturday night.

After seeing West Front Road defeat Festival City 3-2 on penalty kicks, Sparta Boss, who competed without Devon Millington and Dennis Edwards who were both absent, faced Festival City and suffered their first defeat of the tournament, going down 3-2 via penalty kicks to set up an enthralling final match against West Front Road.
From the opening whistle, fans who turned out in their numbers and took up every vantage point possible to witness the night’s action were treated to some scintillating football from both teams, who did their best to score the go ahead goal.
Stoute defending from Jerome Weekes of Sparta Boss and Michael and Hubert Pedro of West Front Road ensured the first segment ended nil all, as neither team looked to give any loophole to their opponents.
But as the saying ‘Constant banging breaks down any wall’ was evident when Sparta Boss’ Sheldon Shepherd received a true ball from Jerome Richardson and without hesitation, let loose a ripper that saw the ball eluding the legs of the West Front Road defender, to nestled inside the box, sparking off celebrations on and off the playing area in the 35th minute.
Not only did that goal send Sparta Boss-who were wearing the favourites tag before the tournament began- into the lead but it also woke up West Front Road, for whom both Pedro siblings and even Nathan Nagaloo tried desperately to gain the equalizer, but found it difficult to achieve.
However, confusion reigned when the final whistle was sounded, as many wanted to know who would be crowned champions, seeing that all three teams had recorded victories in the final stages of the tournament.
But while some were busy scampering here and there, deciding who should be the winner a calm Lawrence ‘Sparrow’ Griffith, who is the Guyana Football Federation Referees Coordinator called the three captains and tournament organiser Kevin Adonis and calmly declared Sparta Boss the winner.
The reason being they scored the lone goal during regulation time, while West Front Road and Festival City’s wins came via penalty kicks, with Festival City being awarded the second place position as they did not concede any goal.
In the first game of the night, following the exhibition matchup between the Best from East and the Best from West which the latter won 3-1 via penalty kicks, West Front Road and Festival City played to a nil all draw, with the former winning the encounter 3-2 via penalty kicks.
Tiger Bay defeated Wolves of Sophia 2-0 in the other exhibition match before the fans witnessed Festival City and Sparta boss playing to a nil all draw, with Festival City going onto win 3-2 from the spot, handing their opponents their first defeat in the tournament.
However, the pre-tournament favourites rebounded to avenge that loss and take the top prize of $300,000, a trophy and one set of uniforms, thanks to Shepherd’s goal while Festival City received $150,000 a trophy and a set of uniforms as their runner-up spoils.