THOUSANDS gathered at the Guyana National Stadium on New Year’s Day  to witness the Gregory ‘Jackie Chan’ Richardson show, as the striker single-handedly dismantled the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) on his way to leading Alpha ‘The Hammer’ United to their second Georgetown Football Association (GFA) Banks Beer Cup title. 

Richardson netted a double in Alpha’s 3-1 win over the GDF in front of a crowd, eager to see Guyana’s number one Club fall to the Army.

With the win, Alpha United walked away with the tournament’s $3M first-place prize while $1.5M was given to the GDF for their effort.

In the third place playoff game, Pele emerged 1-0 winners over Western Tigers, thanks to Deon Alfred’s 57th minute goal. They walked away with $1M and the Tigers settled for $500 000.

After the ceremonial kick off by Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, the two sides who were the most dominant in the preliminary stages of the tournament, wasted little time in showing how eager they were to cash in on top prize.

The GDF came out playing their usual rough-house football while Alpha United, loaded with some of Guyana’s premier players in their respective positions were tactical and passed the ball around fluently.

The tournament’s joint top goalscorers Daniel Wilson and Dwain Jacobs, along with Richardson, were an obvious troublesome attack put up by coach Wayne Dover, since it caused the Army to play four defenders at the back at all times.

Alpha United certainly controlled the pace of the game, causing the military men to retreat on several occasions, but, nonetheless coach Denzil Thompson’s men were able to hold the might of their opposition to a goalless first half.

After an uneventful first half, whatever was said to Richardson in the dressing room certainly brought out his hunger for goals – the same which had landed him in the Major League Soccer (MLS) with the Colorado Rapids in the year 2009.

Playing down the left wing, Richardson in the 63rd minute sweetly maneouvred his way between several GDF defenders and skilfully rocketed a flat and hard shot to the left corner of the goal then sent the GDF custodian sprawling to no avail.

Richardson’s ‘Cristiano Ronaldo-like’ move was certainly appreciated even by the opposing team’s supporters and all stood and applauded the goal.

But he (Richardson) wasn’t done yet.

Four minutes later, playing down the same wing, scored his second of the night when he replicated his previous play but this time, he placed it on the right side of the keeper.

Patrons were once again brought to their feet; forcefully, some even bowed in admiration of the classy goal scored by Richardson.

Already dumfounded by Richardson’s brilliance, the Army men now were placed in a position they have never been in the tournament; 2-0 down, against a team that seemed destined to insult them on the grandest stage.

Richardson moved from scorer to facilitator and capped his night of brilliant performances when he unselfishly founded Dwight Peters with a beautiful pass and the forward made no mistakes in putting the icing on the cake for Alpha United in the 87th minute.

Club president and owner Odinga Lumumba stressed on his side’s dominance on the local playing circuit while stating that they are aiming to play in the CONCACAF Champions League this year.

Alpha United took home the bulk of the individual awards. Daniel Wilson was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the tournament and joint top goalscorer with Dwain Jacobs (10 goals) and custodian Ronson Williams was the competition’s best goalkeeper.

(By Rawle Toney)