Like true marksmen, the strikers of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Football Club found their range Sunday night.
They also found Beacons Football Club to be an ideal target shooting down their opponents 4-0 at the Tucville ground and clinching the fifth annual NAMILCO Football Festival title.
In front of a lively and packed crowd which saw executives of NAMILCO, the Georgetown Football Association(GFA) and Opposition Leader, Brigadier (ret’d) David Granger, among the gathering, the army outfit dominated proceedings from the get go.
Displaying superior fitness to their Beacons United counterparts, they regularly pressured their opponents, closing them down quickly as Beacons were virtually reduced to passing the ball around in their own half as they struggled to create any significant attacks going forward.
GDF, in contrast, were very decisive in their attacks from the inception, especially down the right and left flanks and the Beacons defence struggled to cope with the constant bombardment of crosses into the box.
Led by goal-hungry Desford Williams, who scored a hat trick, the soldiers completely dominated their opponents racking up a 2-0 lead by half time.
The opening goal was the perfect prelude to the onslaught when Delwyn Fraser, the tournament’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) dribbled his way past Beacons defenders before squaring to Williams who was lurking close to the penalty spot and who sent home a scorcher in the ninth minute.
GDF continued to have complete control of the contest and Williams made it 2-0 in the 28th minute when he charged through the mid-field unmarked and slammed home a thumping drive from just outside the 18-yard box.
In the 33rd minute, Beacons had their best opportunity of the first half to pull a goal back when numbers 10 and seven, Mikhail Stewart and Dellon Codagan, found themselves in a two versus two situation with the GDF defence. After beating the defence in the box, GDF ‘keeper Delon Young, dived out bravely to smother the arriving shot.
The teams went into the second half with GDF having a comfortable 2-0 cushion.
Beacons coach Mervyn “Pug” Wilson’s half time team talk failed to halt the Williams and the marauding soldiers in the second half.
On resumption, the pace of the game especially from GDF, slowed down considerably but GDF was still the team moving forward with military precision.
With the hour mark approaching, Williams completed his hat-trick and GDF’s third goal in the 57th minute when the impressive Fraser was fouled in the box.
Stephon Dolphin completed the route by scoring in the 68th minute as the army side walked away with the lucrative one million dollars first prize which was presented to them fittingly by Granger.
Beacons received $500,000 and a trophy.
The third place play off was also a one-sided affair with Fruta Conquerors mauling the youthful Sunburst Camptown 7-0.
Jahall Greaves netted a hat trick as Conquerors led 3-0 at half time.
Greaves scored in the 15th, 25th and 67th minutes of play while Dwayne Laurence converted a double in the 17th and 51st including the game’s opening goal. Fernando Oliviera scored in the 68th minute and Colin Edwards netted the final goal of the match in the 70th minute as the Camptown goalkeeper was made to work overtime.
Conquerors received $200,000 while Camptown took home a cheque for $100,000.
Three members of the GDF captured individual prizes with Fraser being declared the tournament MVP and was awarded a cash prize from 2 J’s General Store.
Custodian Delon Young was named Best Goalkeeper and copped a cellular phone and $5000 credit from Bayridge Taxi Service.
The highest goal scorer prize was shared by Williams of GDF and Greaves of Camptown with four goals each and they copped prizes donated by Juniors Jewellery.
Marlan Cole, President of Fruta Conquerors Football Club, organizers of the tournament thanked National Milling Company (NAMILCO) for sponsoring the tournament now in its fifth year.
He also expressed gratitude to Oasis Water Company, Star Party Rental, Banks DIH and Guyana Beverage Company.
