ON New Year’s Night, January 1, 2015 next at the #5 ground West Coast Berbice, East Bank Demerara’s Grove Hi Tech and East Demerara’s Ann’s Grove will clash for the $1.5M first place prize in the inaugural Stag Super XV1 Knock-out football tournament. 

The two clubs earned their places following respective gruelling semi-final encounters on Sunday night at the Buxton Community Centre ground against Berbice opponents.
Ann’s Grove, coming off a major upset win against Victoria Kings, proved that it was no fluke as they had to again dig deep to defeat Cougars on penalty kicks following a 1-1 regulation time stalemate, as Cougars equalised in added-on time.
In the Grove Hi Tech/New Amsterdam United showdown, it took extra time to decide the winners, Grove’s top marksman Domini Garnett again displaying his penchant for scoring as he netted all three goals to guide his side into the championship game.
But it was the heroics of Ann’s Grove substitute goalkeeper Jamal Blair that stood out on the night. Blair, a regular midfield player, was called upon to stand between the uprights, following injury to first-choice custodian Travis Allen who suffered a suspected fractured jaw in a collision with another player.
Blair came into the fray in the 78th minute and his inexperience was exposed when Cougars were gifted the equalising goal in the 3rd minute of added-on time (93rd). Sherwin Parris’ shot slipped past him after being handled poorly.
This slip-up handed Cougars a ray of hope in an intense battle. A heavy downpour prior to the start of the first game and intermittent drizzles during the course of the same game made conditions very slippery for the teams but somehow the pace of the matches was high.
Cougars proved worthwhile opponents throughout the match-up but the brave saves of young Blair spoilt their night. Ann’s Grove took some time to settle in and get their passes together.
Such was the intensity of the exchanges that neither team allowed the other to get into the danger zone (attacking third) without stern opposition. This resulted in neither side being able to score in the first half
The home team Ann’s Grove broke the deadlock eleven minutes into the second half. Kevin Barry fired from close range and his shot sailed into the back of the net as they took the lead 1-0.
As the game flowed from end to end and shots were taken, many wide of the uprights, Ann’s Grove were surely thinking that the one-goal cushion was enough. They suffered a major setback, however, when goalkeeper Travis Allen was injured.
Allen’s departure made way for Jamal Blair and despite his slip-up which cost his team the equalising goal in the third minute of added-on time, Blair had a huge surprise in store for his teammates and fans.
Extra time failed to separate the sides, it was the fifth time in the tournament that regulation time failed to decide and the third time penalty kicks were required to decide the winner. After the first three kicks the scores were tied following flawless shots.
While Ann’s Grove sank their next two shots, Blair saved the next two from Cougars which sent his teammates and fans into wild celebrations as their nerves finally settled and praises reigned on the stand-in goalie for a fine job under tremendous pressure.
The first game between Grove and New Amsterdam promised a match-up between the goalkeepers and strikers and that is just the way it turned out as the teams, despite the soggy conditions showed their spirits were in no way dampened by the elements from above.
Twelve minutes into the clash, the boys from the East cantered into the lead through a Jamal Butts goal. It was the first goal that Grove allowed in for the competition. After regrouping, Grove, led by Domini Garnett fired back with a well-placed volley off a corner kick in the 17th minute to level the scores at one.
Grove were now enjoying a good period of play and created quite a few chances which went a-begging. Creating constant danger for Grove though was the combination of New Amsterdam’s leading marksman and the nippy Jamal Butts who had handed them the lead.
Equally dominant for Grove was Garnett who took centre stage again three minutes to the half with another smart strike, evading three NA players and drawing goalkeeper Javano Dos Santos off his line before slotting the ball home clinically – Grove Hi Tech 2, New Amsterdam United 1.
The score remained unchanged at the break and as the teams sought to refocus. Fans were bracing for another 45 minutes of ripping action. New Amsterdam, aware that they were trailing wasted no time in taking the attack to Grove and five minutes into the half were rewarded when Adrian Adams converted the equaliser for his side (his 7th of the competition). Grove 2, New Amsterdam 2.
There was no doubt that at this juncture both teams felt that they had an equal chance at the $1.5M top prize. So that while they were both adventurous, some caution was also exhibited as neither side wanted to give up too much of an advantage.
New Amsterdam enjoyed some good moments as did Grove but no more goals were scored in the standard 90 minutes which meant that another 30 minutes of extra time (15 minutes per half) had to be taken.
In the 117th minute Garnett again ensured that his side nosed ahead for the second time in the encounter with three minutes remaining (his fourth goal of the tournament).
Grove employed some usual tactics of shielding the ball in the corners to run the clock down and they were successful. The final whistle by female Referee Mauries Skeete sparked wild celebrations by the Grove players and supporters. Final score – Grove Hi Tech 3, New Amsterdam United 2.
Cougars and New Amsterdam will now contest for third place e on New Year’s Day at the #5 ground with the winners set to receive $300 000 and the losers $100 000. At stake in the final is $1.5M with the losing team collecting $500 000.
Fans can also look forward to an exciting time as the tournament sponsor will be putting on a massive after-football show for the fans to have a grand time.