The East Bank has finally ascended to the throne of the Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ East Bank/West Demerara Championships after Ballerz Empire defeated three-time winners and six-time finalists Showstoppers 2-1 in the final on Saturday evening at the Pouderoyen Tarmac.
Solomon Austin handed Ballerz Empire the lead in the seventh minute, stunning the enormous crowd, as he intercepted an errant pass from the final defender, before dribbling the onrushing player and slamming the ball into the back of the empty net.
Showstoppers were then presented with an opportunity to equalise from the penalty mark in the 13th minute after Ballerz Empire incurred their third foul which automatically resulted in a penalty kick being awarded.
Tasked with the responsibility from the distance, Dexroy Adams fired his effort down the centre of the net to send the crowd into a frenzy. With the score remaining unchanged during the remainder of regulation time, the extra time interval commenced.
Samuel Garnett settled the eventual result in the 34th minute, rifling his first-time effort into the right corner from the right side of the field, after receiving a left-sided pass.
Ballerz Empire walked away with $250,000, the championship trophy, and an automatic berth to the National Championships while Showstoppers pocketed $150,000 and the second-place accolade.
In the earlier third-place playoff, Jetty Gunners brushed aside Bagotstown Warriors by a 4-0 score. They received $100,000 and a trophy while the losers collected $70,000 and the respective accolade.
Meanwhile, Pouderoyen Brothers defeated Ramsay Clan 2-0 to win the Plate Final. They won $60,000 and a trophy.
In the earlier semi-final round, Ballerz Empire bested Bagotstown Warriors 1-0 on penalty kicks after full-time ended 0-0 and Showstoppers crushed Jetty Gunners 3-0.
In the Plate semifinals, Pouderoyen Brothers squeaked past Team Antisocial 1-0 while Ramsay Clan needled Red Triangle 1-0.
