… Den Amstel, Buxton United to clash in GFF ‘Super 16’ final

NO one saw it coming, probably except the supporters of Den Amstel and Buxton United football clubs, with the two now set to collide on New Year’s Day (January 1) in the final of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) STAG Beer-sponsored ‘Super 16’ tournament.

Buxton United, playing at home at the Buxton Community Centre ground, beat the stripes off of Western Tigers 2-1, while Den Amstel, via a similar scoreline, got past Elite League Champions Fruta Conquerors.

With the scores levelled at a goal each, Buxton United won a penalty, courtesy of a harsh tackle by Raphael Edwards on one of their players in the ‘box’, forcing the referee to point to the penalty spot in the 89th minute.

Shemar Fraser calmly tucked his effort away in what turned out to be the winning goal to send Buxton United to their first year-end football final, since they had won the Kashif and Shanghai tournament in 2013.

Buxton United got the go-ahead in the 37th minute through Dillion Wright, but four minutes later, Kelsey Benjamin made it 1-1 with his perfect left-footed shot that was placed into the far right corner and out of reach of the Buxton United custodian.

In the opening game of the semi-finals, Jamal Harvey (14th, 22nd) scored both goals for Den Amstel while Conquerors’ lone goal came from Ion Alleyne in the 85th minute.