Dave and Celina All-Stars, led by a Kennard Simon helmet trick, Saturday night defeated Swag Entertainment 5-0 at the Mackenzie Market tarmac to be crowned the Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ Linden champions.
It was the largest ever victory in any final of the Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ championship, besting the previous record of 4-1 set by Beterverwagting (BV)-A against Melanie-B in the 2015 final of the East Coast of Demerara competition.
The diminutive Simon opened the scoring in the sixth minute, slotting home from the left side after collecting a right side pass following a counterattack.
Another counterattack led to All-Stars increasing their advantage two minutes onward as Keon Sears placed a right foot shot into the roof of the net from the left side of the field after skipping past his marker.
Upon resumption of the second half, Colwyn Drakes should have pulled one back in the 23rd minute for Swag Entertainment.
It was an opportunity that was easier to score than to miss but Drakes fired wide of the right corner with the empty goal at his mercy after receiving a left side pass unchallenged.
The aforesaid failure typified the effort of Swag Entertainment as they spurned several opportunities in the period, with three shots unfortunately striking the woodwork.
Swag Entertainment would live to rue their missed chances with Simon recording his second in the 25th minute, stabbing home from the left side into the back of the net, following a right side pass from Rawle Gittens.
Simon made his presence felt once more, registering his hat-trick one minute afterwards with a simple finish down the centre of the net as the score line began to look embarrassing for Swag Entertainment.
The result was then sealed in the 35th minute, as Simon fashioned his helmet trick, blasting home through the leg of the advancing final defender, from the left side into the back of the net.
With the win, Dave and Celina All-Stars walked away with $400,000 and the championship trophy. They also earned the right to represent the zone at the National Championship while the losing team collected the runners-up package of $150,000 and a trophy. They will also represent the region at the National Championship.
Meanwhile in the third place playoff, Jermaine and Family Silver Bullets riddled Team 25 2-0.
Robin Adams and Jermaine Samuels scored in the 10th and 35th minute respectively. Due to the result, Silver Bullets walked away with $75,000 and the third place trophy. For the loser, they pocketed $50,000 and the respective accolade.
