Bakewell Topp XX won the Linden Invitational football tournament when they scored an easy 3-0 victory over Milerock Football Club at the Mackenzie Sports Club (MSC) ground Saturday night.
Topp XX were without three of their Golden Jaguars in forward Collie ’Hitman’ Hercules, Kayode Mc Kinnon and Carey Harris but versatile midfield players in captain Shevon Seaforth and Marlon Benjamin, along with Kevin Beaton up front proved more than adequate for Milerock.
But it was Milerock who provided the first scare in the duel when Trevor Tudor took the ball deep into Topp XX’s box.
But his cross was intercepted by Topp XX’s defender Kieron Cameron.
That play woke up Topp XX who began the first of countless raids on their opponent’s goal.
They were led by the hard-working Orville Mitchell, who engineered the first goal. He had earlier forced Milerock’s custodian Michael Rose to pull off a save in the 15th minute and five minutes later he was at it again when he received a gem of a pass from Benjamin, but his shot was a weak one and did not pose any alarms for Rose.
Rose was soon called into action again by Beaton whose shot from a Mitchell cross struck the cross bar.
Milerock responded with a run of their own on one of the rare opportunities they were allowed to do so by their opponents when Andre Chester sent a pass to Marlon Cox at the top of the 18 yard box, but his shot which was taken off balance, trickled its way past the goal harmlessly.
The resulting play from Cox’s blunder saw Topp XX opening their account when Mitchell, who was proving to be a stubborn customer for Tudor in the left back position, rounded his marker and sent a low ball across Milerock’s goal mouth where a waiting Seaforth tapped it into the goal to give his team the lead in the 40th minute.
The second half started with Topp XX again pressing forward and forcing their opponents to be defensive.
Topp XX got their second goal four minutes into the second half courtesy of a Kirk Mitchell strike from a pass from the tireless Mitchell.
Five minutes after that goal Mitchell had the opportunity to cement his team’s position when a free kick taken by Seaforth was not handled well by Rose, and the loose ball fell into the path of Mitchell whose shot in front of an open goal went wide.
A see-saw battle ensued after that as Milerock tried desperately to reduce the lead. They were met by sturdy defence from Ruel Williams, Francis Primo and Cameron at the back for Topp XX.
On the other side of the field, captain Marlon Maxius, Kevin Sullivan and Deon Granderson had to work overtime in order to prevent Beaton, Mitchell, Benjamin and company from increasing their team’s lead.
But as the saying goes, “all good things must come to an end”, and that was the case for Williams and company in the 78th minute, when Beaton sent a low shot into the back of the net, beating a hapless looking Rose.
The goal not only sent Topp XX up 3-0 but it also took the wind out of Milerock’s sail.
Topp XX were reduced to 10 men two minutes later, when Michael Crandon received his second caution of the game which resulted in an automatic red card for unsportsmanlike behavior, but they still managed to hold off Milerock and come away with the win and the $100,000.00 first prize, trophy and medals that came with it.
Milerock had to be content with $60,000.00 and a trophy for occupying the runners-up position whilst Amelia’s Ward United, who defeated Silver Shattas 1-0 courtesy of a Travis Waterton goal from the penalty spot, took the third place trophy.
Topp XX took home all the individual prizes that were up for grabs, with their custodian Michael Marks (Best Goalkeeper), Kirk Murphy (most Goals) and Derron Dainty (Tournament MVP).
The tournament was sponsored by Nigel Alleyne and Rawle Hensford two USA-based Lindeners who promised to make the event an annual one with next years’ competition being bigger and better.