THE STAG Elite League returns to Berbice tonight with two intriguing matches. From 18:30hrs, Slingerz FC will chase three points against Buxton United and in the second game, the home side Monedderlust go head-to-head with the Georgetown Football Club (GFC). Slingerz FC, one of the favourites in the STAG Elite League, could boost their chances of winning the coveted title with the signing of Golden Jaguars centre midfield player Brandon Beresford.
The 23-year-old former Graceland University standout player will suit up for the Vergenoegen-based club tonight when they come up against Buxton United in the opening match of a double-header at the #5 Ground in West Coast Berbice.
With one win from their four matches played, Slingerz FC are said to be one of the best assembled squad in the league.
However, the team did play to an uninspiring goalless draw against the lesser-talented Georgetown Football Club (GFC) and was injected by the league’s leading goalscorer Gregory ‘Jackie Chan’ Richardson who scored a late goal to claw Pele FC to a 1-1 draw.
But Slingerz FC’s coach Joseph ‘Bill’ Wilson, who is known for his usually calm demeanour, will be forced to have his extremely talented team produce results that will reflect their powerful roster.
Beresford will team up with his Golden Jaguars teammates Dwain Jacobs, Joshua Brown and Vurlon Mills, Colin Nelson while also playing alongside former foes; St Vincent and the Grenadines trio goalkeeper Winslow McDowall, his brother Jolanshoy and defender Keith James.
Dominican National player Julian Wade returned from his tryout in England and will pair up front with Domini Garnett to hopefully end the Slingerz FC’s goal drought.
Slingerz FC currently sit fifth on the points standing with six points from four games (one win, three draws), behind Fruta Conquerors (seven points), Pele FC (eight points +3) and their rivals Alpha United (eight points +4).
While Slingerz are among the three undefeated teams (Pele and Alpha United), Buxton United recently snapped their three-game losing streak to pick up a 1-0 win against Monedderlust last Sunday.
Eson Hamer found the net for the East Coast unit who were flying below radar and a good result against Slingerz FC will mean a lot to them and their fans.
Meanwhile Monedderlust, after an exciting start in the STAG Elite League, came from behind to win 3-2 against the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), but have lost every match played thereafter.
Head coach Gordon Braithwaite’s men turned in some uninspiring performances against Slingerz FC (0-3), Fruta Conquerors (1-2) and most recently, Buxton United (0-1).
Braithwaite told reporters after his loss to Buxton at the GFC ground, that his team will bounce back and play to their potential and playing at their home ground, a turnaround is expected.
Their opposition however, GFC, are coming off a stunning 2-1 victory over the GDF. Grabbing their first win in the league might have boosted their confidence and the country’s oldest club (formed in 1902) will be looking to grab three more points.