A dramatic Robin Adams winner in the 90th+3 minute earned Silver Shattas the Upper Demerara Football Association (UDFA)/GT Beer Championship after they edged out Eagles 1-0 Sunday at the Mackenzie Sports Club (MSC) ground. With the scoreless fixture looking likely to enter the extra time interval in the dying moments, Adams stole the show in front of a large viewership as he made his presence count with an unlikely finish.
Latching onto the ball just outside the right of the 18-yard area, Adams unleashed a right-foot strike which crashed into the crossbar and settled into the back of the net sending his teammates and supporters into a frenzy as the final whistle sounded to end the contest and break the Eagles players and supporters hearts.
The win was a redemption of sorts for Silver Shattas who fell short in the 2015 championship match to Winners Connection. The newly-crowned champs will collect $1,000,000 and a trophy while Eagles, for their efforts will receive $600,000 and the respective accolade.
The contest, which was a rematch of their earlier group stage encounter, was anything but a classic, with wet conditions underfoot affecting the respective offensive quality of both teams.
Eagles, who have fond memories of the last meeting due to a 1-0 win, almost took the lead in the 16th minute but the attempt crashed into the woodwork.
The scare woke up the Silver Shattas unit who responded in the form of tourney top shot Colwyn Drakes. In the 23rd minute the nippy Drake, who has scored five times, blasted his effort onto the left post, much to the frustration of his teammates.
Eagles fluffed a great opportunity to break the deadlock in the 69th minute as, they squandered a one-on-one situation while at the opposite end, Drakes forced a smart save from the Eagles custodian Shamar Gittens in the 76th minute, after cutting into the box and lashing in a powerful effort.
Nevertheless, Adams would prove to be the unlikely hero, scoring in the dying seconds to finally earn Silver Shattas the taste of championship glory.
Prior to the championship clash, Botofago downed three-time champions Federal Winners Connection 2-0 in the third place playoff. Kellon Primo recorded a brace in the upset win.
Botofago for their efforts will receive $300,000 and a trophy while the losers will pocket $200,000 and the respective accolade. The presentation of prizes will occur on Saturday in the Mining Town.
In attendance were Guyana Football Federation Wayne Forde, Linden Mayor Carwyn Holland, Region #10 Chairman Renis Morian, UDFA Boss Sharma Solomon, Banks DIH officials inclusive of GT Beer Manager Geoff Clement, Outdoor Events Manager Mortimer Stewart and Linden Branch Manager Shondell Easton.
