Botafago knock out Capital FC to reach UDFA final

DEFENDING champion Milerock FC, led by a destructive display from veteran Colwyn Drakes who hit a glut of goals smashed their way past Haynes and Lewis’ Winners Connection, 9-3, while Botafago continued its rich vein of form to hammer Capital FC, 8-3, in semi-final matches of the Upper Demerara Football Association’s (UDFA) Banks DIH / Jai Signs/ Ministry of Culture Youth and Sports Year End futsal championship which was played Sunday night at the Retrieve Hard Court in Linden.
After limping through to the last four and not looking like the reigning champion, Milerock made it their second successive annual trip with a resounding victory.
No doubt veteran Colwyn Drakes led their charge with an opening hat-trick in the first half, much to the appreciation of their fans. Nevertheless, Anthony Layne and Akeem Caesar would pull the Winners Connection back into contention, it seemed, as the first half break ended with a 3-2 scoreline, still in favour of Milerock.

Jona Simon would push Milerock to a 4-2 advantage and Drakes would add to the miseries of Winners Connect for his fourth goal, as Michael Jeffers sent them further ahead 6-2. Ronic Velloze would reduce that lead by scoring for Winners Connection, but the rampant Drakes then netted again for his fifth strike, and Kamar McLaren entered the fray with a brace, as Milerock blasted themselves to a 9-3 victory.
However, the second semi-final did not produce a repeat win of last year’s clash, as was seen in the first, as Botafago turned the tables on Capital FC this time around wiping them out, 8-3.
The Botafago lineup proved too strong for their opponents as three players scored twice in Donovan Francis, Amaniki Buntin and Jamal Bentick pressured their younger rivals following a 5-1 half time lead. Jermaine Maison and Ronel Depution were the scorers in the first period of play along with Francis and Buntin and Bentick.

The trio of Francis, Bentick and Buntin would add the other goals for Botafago to reach this year’s final to be played on New Year’s Night.
After Devonte Tappin got the first goal for Capital FC in the first half of play, the other two in the second half were hit in by Duquan Wilson and Isaiah Adams.
In the first supporting game YMCA Under 20 scored an exciting 3-2 win over Amelia’s Ward Under 20. In the other game, a ladies encounter, Purple Stone scored a 3-1 win against White Stone.

Apart from the major sponsors Banks DIH, Jai Signs and Auto Spares, and the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, other support for this championship are Jermaine and Son Supermarkets, S. Jagmohan Construction, Majors Rentals, New Era Entertainment, Orin’s Supreme Construction and D.Sookram and Daughters General Construction, Benny King Welding and Fabricating, Kelmon Enterprise, Semple and Sons General Store and Clive Chapman Associates.

The final and third place playoff in this $3M tournament which has $1M for the winners and other prizes at stake will be staged (tomorrow night) New Year’s Night at the Retrieve Hard Court with the third place game at 19.00hrs.