… Potaro Strikers clobber way to third place against AX Galaxy

A COMMANDING display of solid football in offence and defence guided Rivers View to first place in the Bartica Easter Regatta ‘Bounce Back’ football competition which was organised by Bartica Football Association (BFA) in conjunction with the Easter Regatta Committee.

Four days of football which attracted seven teams ended on Holy Saturday night at the Bartica Community Centre Ground and was witnessed by a very large crowd. Rivers View were the only team that played unbeaten as they dispatched Lazio 2-0 in the championship match to walk away with the top prize of $360 000.

It was a bruising affair, fit for a final as neither team could have wrested the early initiative. The Rivers View fans were very animated and tried their best to motivate their fellow villagers at varying points of the encounter,, which was witnessed by the Hon. Minister of Labour, Joseph Hamilton; Leader of the Opposition, Aubrey Norton; Regional Chairman Kenneth Williams; Mayor of Bartica, His Worship Gifford Marshall and BFA president Alden Marslow, among other dignitaries.

But as the match progressed, the patience of the fans was being tested as they started calling for a goal. Their patience was finally rewarded with 11 minutes to the final whistle. The Rivers View lads were jumping for joy when Antonio Jones finally broke the deadlock with a well taken shot that evaded the Lazio defence and goalkeeper.

The Rivers View fans were equally ecstatic as their voices resonated across the river to their family and friends who were left at home.

One goal was never going to make fans and players comfortable so Rivers View doubled the advantage to appease them as the match neared conclusion. With four minutes to full time, Omario Lake banged in the sealer to once again send the fans into frenzy.

Immediately after the final whistle, the celebrations went into overdrive as players, friends, family, and fans celebrated a well-deserved win. The champions also walked away with the two individual prizes – the MVP trophy awarded to Kellon Richardson and Dariq James taking the Best Goalkeeper accolade.

The preceding third-place match saw a blowout win for Potaro Strikers against upstarts LA Galaxy, 9-2 with a brace each from Troy Parris (5th, 15th), Jermaine Padmore (9th, 11th), and Daniel Gardener. There was one each for Lorenzo Cummings (65th), Arlington Williams (77th), and Antoine Allen in the 80th minute. AX Galaxy’s goals were scored by Voldener Da Fonsia in the 7th minute and Ryan Andrews in the 48th minute.

The presentation of prizes took place immediately after the final with Lazio receiving $200 000 while Potaro Strikers pocketed $100 000. The other clubs participating in the competition were Beacons, Wolves United and Agatash United.