Top of the table clashes will highlight round 12 in the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Stag Beer Elite League when league leader Pele FC opposes Slingerz and Fruta Conquerors tackle the Guyana Defence Force today at the Camp Ayanganna ground.
In a contest which can be easily described as a finale, league leader Pele will tackle third placed Slingerz FC from 18:00hrs in rematch after their first round 1-1 stalemate. Due to their standing within the league, Pele will start the matchup as the favourite.
Offensively, the Georgetown unit has been better than everyone, netting a tourney leading 25 goals over their 11 matches at a 2.272 goals per game.
Joint tourney top scorer with nine goals Gregory Richardson has been a revelation and will lead a side featuring formidable goal-threats in Ronel Gordon, Travis Grant and Julian Joseph who have netted four, three and two times respectively.
Defensively, Pele marshaled by centrehalf Jumane Somerset has also impressed as they have conceded eight goals to date, which is the third best record within the tourney. However Slingerz FC has been equally impressive and will be confident of securing a positive result.
From an attacking standpoint, the Vergenoegen side is the second best offence in the event with 22 goals thus far. Unlike Pele who has a principal hitman, the goal scoring burden has been shared around the squad for Slingerz, with five members netting at least twice.
Dexroy Adams and Julian Wade have found the net four times while Vurlon Mills, Anthony Abrams, Tichard Joseph and Dwain Jacobs have scored three, three, two and two goals respectively.
With regards to the rearguard numbers, Slingerz possess the best record as they have only conceded six goals to date.
Further examination of those numbers highlight that they have only been breached three times, with the three other goals coming via the walkover technicality following their refusal to play the GDF in the earlier round.
Solomon Austin, Joshua Browne, Tichard Joseph, Les Charles Critchlow and Anthony Harding are a formidable contingent in the rearguard and much will be expected once more of them to keep the high powered offence of Pele quiet.
The feature encounter at 20:00hrs will pit fourth positioned Fruta Conquerors against home side and fifth placed GDF. It will be the second meeting of the two sides following a 2-2 draw in the opening round.
While both teams have been inconsistent throughout the event, the hosts will start as the favourite due to their home advantage. In the attacking third, the home side has done fairly well, netting a decent 18 goals over their campaign.
Delroy Fraser has been the main threat for the army unit as he sits in third on the scoring chart with six conversions while the equally dangerous Eusi Phillips and Delwyn Fraser have netted four and two goals each.
Defensively, GDF will need to improve quickly as they have conceded the joint second most goals to date in the event with 19, translating to 1.72 goals per game. If they are to emerge victorious, collective showing will be required led by the likes of Seon Prince and Selwyn Isaacs.
On the other hand, Fruta Conquerors have been guilty of inconsistency throughout their tourney. Currently they possess the fifth best offence among the eight teams, with only 13 goals scored to date.
Kwame LaFleur has led the scoring for the Tucville side with four goals while Dennis Edwards and Eon Alleyne has netted twice. This aspect of their game must improve if a top four finish is sought.
On the defensive end, the Tucville unit has conceded 13 goals, which is the fourth best record among the teams. Improvements by the rearguard of Trevon Lythcott, Delon Williams, Lennox Arthur, Dwayne Lindy and Travis Martin will be needed in order to emerge with the vital win.
Winner of the round will pocket $4,000,000 while the second, third and fourth place teams will collect $2,000,000, $1,000,000 and $500,000 respectively. Similarly, the point’s leader prior to the knockout stage in the League Genesis round will pocket an additional $1,000,000.
