A MOUTH-WATERING Final in the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Super 16 championship is in the making on New Year’s Day (January 1), between Guyana Defence Force (GDF) and Fruta Conquerors, after the two sides; exciting semi-finals win on Sunday evening.

At the Georgetown Football Club (GFC) ground, an extra-time goal from Ryan Hackett helped the Tucville-based Fruta Conquerors get rid of a stubborn Santos side 2-1, while GDF despite striking first, had to dig deep to beat the Guyana Police Force (GPF) 4-2.

It was the opening game of the night’s double-header and from all indications, Fruta Conquerors, the better composed of the two sides, seemed set for the win.

Gregory ‘Jackie Chan’ Richards and Hackett, were both guilty of squandering several early chances that would’ve changed the outlook of the game, but, Delon Lanferman handed the SM Jaleel-sponsored team the lead in the 11th minute; a lead that lasted throughout the first half.

With National player Sheldon Holder in their corner, Santos showed signs of troubling the wobbly Fruta Conquerors defence, and upon resumption of the second stanza, Orin Yarde found the equaliser.

Akel Clarke kept Fruta Conquerors alive, pulling off several beautiful saves, while Vurlon Mills mesmerised the crowd with his midfield dominance, but after the conclusion of 90 minutes, it was Hackett who struck in extra time, as Conquerors held on.

Meanwhile, the Police/GDF clash lived up to all the pre-match ramblings and excitement it had promised, as both sides went toe-to-toe with good display of football at the over 100-year old facility.

Delroy Fraser fired GDF into the lead midway the first half, but, just on the stroke of halftime, Pernell Shultz scored his first of two goals.

Shultz, who joined the Eve Leary unit this year, netted his second of the night in the 50th minute to give Police a 2-1 advantage.

However, just when everyone (with the exception of the GDF supporters) was settling on a Police/Fruta final on January 1 at the same venue, Travis Henry, Delwin Fraser and Sherwin Caesar scored three goals in approximately eight minutes, as the Army bounced back in fine style to win 4-2.

As Police side and their fans downed their heads in disbelief, GDF, who enjoyed the bulk of the crowd support, celebrated as if they had already cashed into the tournament’s purse, and rightfully so, given their high-level of play.