Silvercity Alleys and Valleys were crowned the Linden ‘Stag Bowl’ Inter-Ward Football Championship, edging Block 22 by a 1-0 scoreline on Wednesday evening at the Mackenzie Sport Club (MSC) Ground, following the semi-finals on Tuesday.
The fixture which was viewed by a sizeable crowd was settled in a moment of individual brilliance, following a scoreless opening period.
With both teams, especially Block 22, guilty of spurning several opportunities, eventual tournament Most Valuable Player (MVP) and Highest Goal Scorer (HGS) Delon Lanferman made the difference on the night as, he netted in the 50th minute.
Racing away on the right side of the field, Lanferman upon cutting into the penalty box, blasted his right footed effort past the goalkeeper’s right. It was his seventh conversion of the tournament.
With the win, Silvercity Alleys and Valleys walked away with $1,200,000 and the championship trophy, with $200,000 going towards a community based project. On the other hand, the runners-up pocketed $500,000 and the corresponding trophy.
For his exploits, Lanferman received $30,000 each, for the MVP and HGS titles. Konata Manning and Dellon Major received $20,000 apiece after being adjudged the event’s Best Midfielder and Best Goalkeeper, respectively.
Meanwhile, dethroned titlist Blueberry Hill overcame a 1-0 deficit to edge Silvertown/Canvas City and West Watooka Combined by a 2-1 scoreline in the third place playoff. Falling behind to a Jamal Haynes strike in the 48th minute, Blueberry Hill equalized in the 64th minute, compliments of a Sheldon Holder strike.Holder upon receiving the ball, raced past the challenge of his marker, before rifling a powerful shot into the far corner from inside the area.
The come from behind result was then sealed in the 84th minute, as Shane Luckie rounded the advancing goalkeeper and finished in the back of the net.
With the result, Blueberry Hill walked away with the third place package of $300,000 and a trophy. The losers received $150,000 and the fourth place accolade.
In attendance at the matches were Guyana Football Federation (GFF) President Wayne Forde, Director of Sports Christopher Jones, Linden Mayor Carwyn Holland and the Upper Demerara Football Association (UDFA) executives.
The eight team event which lasted for four days, also included Central Mackenzie, Half Mile One Miles, Christianburg and Amelia’s Ward. Other sponsors of the event included Alex Bunbury, Director of Sports Jones and Mayor Holland.
