… Keron Williams is MVP; Omar Sam ends with 23 goals

TIMEHRI Panthers continued their dominance of East Bank football when they captured the 3rd annual East Bank Football Association/Ralph Green Under-11 League yesterday with a 2-0 win over Friendship All Stars.
The Young Panthers won the championship by a single point ahead of Grove Hi Tech who ended with 29 points. Taking the 3rd place in a thrilling final match to this year’s league were Agricola Red Triangle, who out-hustled Swan FC 4-3 coming back from two goals down.

Diamond Upsetters ended in 5th followed by Samatta Point/Kaneville, Diamond United, Mocha Champs, Friendship All Stars, Kuru Kururu Warriors, Herstelling Raiders and Hauraruni Eagles rounding out the twelve teams which participated.

In the final three matches yesterday, Samatta Point/Kaneville and Diamond United battled to a 1-1 draw. Diamond United had taken the lead on five minutes through a Ricky Ramotar goal but that advantage was cancelled on in the 25th minute when Troy George scored for Samatta Point.

Timehri Panthers then took to the field cognizant that they needed to win to take the top spot and that they did via a 2-0 margin over Friendship All Stars. Their captain and the league’s leading goalscorer Omar Sam netted the first goal in the 7th minute with Keeron Williams rounding out the win whilst sealing the league with his 25th minute goal.
The final match of the day and league was a thriller with Swan in their first tournament at this level after joining the EBFA, taking on Agricola Red Triangle who had won the first two editions of this league.

Behind Agricola on goal difference, Swan sailed to a 2-0 advantage with just two minutes on the clock, their leading marksman and league’s Most Promising Player, Anderson Webber, heading both goals in, in the 1st and 2nd minutes.
But Agricola, who had squandered a two-goal advantage against Timehri Panthers when they met a few days ago, showed admirable determination and fired back with a beautiful shot off the boot of Trevor Gordon to reduce the deficit in the 5th minute.

But in the 12th minute, Webber completed his hat-trick and 20th of the league to increase the lead for Swan. However, the experienced captain Jonathan Andries tapped in Agricola’s second goal to reduce the deficit in the 13th minute and his teammate, Mikel Morris, netted the first of his double in the 14th minute to even things up for Agricola, just before the halftime whistle was sounded; a pulsating first half – 3-3.

The second half was fiercely contested with both teams having their moments and coming close to scoring but it was the Agricola boys who tasted victory and with just one minute to go, Morris achieved his second and the winner in the 29th minute.

After all the on-field action ended, it was time for the presentation. The dedicated trio of referees who laboured day in, day out were recognised for their efforts by the EBFA – Colin David, Dawn Joseph and Orien Angoy, received a medal and a whistle.

Association secretary Wayne Francois was also recognised for his efforts towards making the playing venue ready for matches. He was presented with a branded ball and medal.
Swan goalkeeper Kedon Nazir, a differently-abled player received a special prize, compliments of Grove Hi Tech coach Levi Braithwaite for his outstanding performances during the league. He stood between the uprights in every match his team played.

Swan also walked away with the Team Sportsmanship Award for being adjudged the Most Disciplined Team of the League while Colin David of champions Timehri Panthers was named Best Coach and received a plaque.

The individual awards went to Anderson Webber (Swan) Most Promising Player; Jamal Cordis (Grove Hi Tech) Most Disciplined Player; Zewdi Francois (Grove Hi Tech), Best Goalkeeper; Omar Sam (Timehri Panthers) Top Goalscorer – 23; Keron Williams (Timehri Panthers) Most Valuable Player. Each of these players was rewarded with a plaque and backpack.

Each player of Timehri Panthers and Grove Hi Tech, for placing first and second, received a replica trophy while each player from 3rd and 4th place, Agricola and Swan, collected medals.