ON a breezy and sunny Saturday afternoon last in the village of Den Amstel on the West Coast of Demerara, the inaugural Fazia’s Collection/West Demerara Football Association (WDFA) final was contested and before the evening ended, Leonora Secondary emerged champions by a 4-0 margin over Zeeburg Secondary. The tournament’s Most Valuable Player and Highest Goalscorer Abioce Heywood scored all the goals for her team as they turned back the challenge of the previously unbeaten Zeeburg side to win this historical competition – the first of its kind on the West Side.
Going into the game, both sides were unbeaten and with a packed house on hand, including many of the girls’ mothers along with many die-hard supporters of the game, the air was one of anticipation for an intriguing final.
But even before the final, Uitvlugt Secondary ran away with the third place trophy and bronze medals also by a 4-0 margin over St John’s Secondary. Keshanna Hunte netted the hat-trick (3rd, 17th, 63rd) with the other goal coming off the boot of Uan Wilson in the 35th minute.
And it was now time for the championship match and the two schools were ready to showcase who were the hungrier to grab this initial title. The atmosphere was just right with the colourful crowd completing the setting for what was going to be on offer.
As they had displayed in previous games, Leonora did not waste any time in establishing their presence and the fact that they meant business. Their main striker and captain Abioce Heywood, who ended the tournament with a whopping 13 goals to her name, again led from the front.
Heywood, who has undoubtedly announced that she has arrived and will be one to watch at the national level, scored her first goal in the third minute. From that moment it was clear that Zeeburg, who came into the match on a high, were not going to have their way.
Leonora used their strength and inspirational player, the athletic Heywood, who, along with some solid defenders, never allowed the Zeeburg girls to get close – virtually stifling their opponents.
Heywood was again on target in the 20th minute. The third goal was a ripper of a shot that was taken on the right side of Zeeburg’s area. The power of the shot took it past five Zeeburg players and the goalkeeper as it curled and twirled into the left side of goal. Many were left in awe that a little player possessed such power.
By the end of the first half, Leonora was large and in charge, leading 3-0, so the break was welcomed by Zeeburg which gave them time to refocus for the final half.
They did play a better second half to the extent that they not only kept Leonora at bay but also came close to scoring on a few occasions. The deal was sealed beyond Zeeburg’s reach in the 60th minute when Leonora were rewarded with a penalty, and it was the captain herself who took on the responsibility.
As was expected, her shot was another powerful one that sailed past the goalkeeper and settled at the back of the nets.
The win was resounding and well-deserved by the inaugural champions, led by Heywood. St John’s Winette Small was named the Best Goalkeeper of the tournament. The Best Coach award went to Uitvlugt Secondary School teacher Keith Sampson. West Demerara Secondary was adjudged the Fair Play Team and received a trophy.