… Belfield Warriors win Plate final

WITH a clear game plan to keep Paradise ‘A’ talisman Quincy Adams shackled at all times, Melanie ‘B’ executed to perfection to grab their second title in the East Coast Zone of the Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ competition which concluded in front of a record crowd at the Haslington Market tarmac.

The former champions, whose first taste of success in the street competition came in 2017, were the epitome of discipline as they stuck inflexibly to the game plan, nullifying every offensive threat attempted by the pre-game favourite Paradise.

Paradise seemed surprised by the strategy and looked second best in offence, while Adams was left pondering whether to go forward in attack or remain part of the defensive shape.
It was evident that the counter-attacks by Melanie ‘B’ were a bother to the Paradise team so much so that they failed to orchestrate any serious threat on the opposition’s goal.

The half came with no team managing to enter the scoresheet and the thousands of spectators who seemed even in their support for each team anticipated a riveting final period and while the scoreline remained unchanged, Melanie ‘B’ always seemed the more likely to score.

In the end, the final whistle sounded to send the encounter into penalty shootout.
This scenario also proved to be on a knife’s edge as both teams missed their opening kicks, before sudden-death was ordered and Melanie ‘B’ held their nerves to capture the title and $400 000, trophy and a spot in the national final, while Paradise took home $150 000 and a trophy.

The third place playoff between Victoria Church Yard and Liliendaal Hustlers followed a similar route, finishing goalless, before the former prevailed in the sudden-death shootout to earn $100 000, while Hustlers were rewarded with $75 000.

Earlier in semi-final action, Melanie ‘B’ had sounded a stern warning when they hammered Victoria Church Yard 4-0 through a brace from Odell Gulliver, while Ryan Seales added a Guinness Goal.

Paradise then outlasted Liliendaal Hustlers in sudden-death penalty shootout after their clash ended 1-1.

In the Plate final, Belfield Warriors beat home team Haslington Hypers 1-0 to carry off the winner-take-all $60 000 prize.

Guinness Brand Manager Lee Baptiste, who was among those present, told the media he was completely satisfied with the team’s performance, while he also acknowledged the support of the fans.

According to Baptiste, the tournament is here to stay and the management will continue to seek ways to improve it.

The next stop is Linden where game commences tonight in the Mining Town.