Latest update April 17th, 2024 12:59 AM
Apr 28, 2016 Sports
By Franklin Wilson
Fruta Conquerors were gifted an equalizing goal on account of poor referring which effectively broke
the focus and zeal of Monedderlust which eventually lost an intriguing encounter 2-1 when the STAG Elite League – Finale continued on Tuesday night at the GDF ground.
In the feature match of the night and the most exciting match of the FINALE to date, points leaders Slingerz FC and Alpha ‘The Hammer’ United battled to a pulsating 1-1 draw, Slingerz having to fight back to draw level and were reduced to 10-men with seven minutes to go, Clive Nobrega (41st, 83rd) booked for the second time.
The last time Slingerz and Alpha met in March, the West Demerara based side prevailed 2-1 after Alpha took the lead as the trend of the former National champions drawing first blood continued.
On that date at the Conquerors ground, Alpha were reduced to 9-players when Anthony Benfield and Anthony Abrams were sent off but this time around, the tables were turned, Slingerz having to play a man less but it was almost game time so Alpha did not get the chance to capitalize.
It was a fiery clash between two sides that have at their disposal some of the best players in the country that are guided by two of the better tacticians in the game. Alpha looked a more compact and determined unit and did enjoy some good moments early in the piece.
The fast paced match had the full attention of all the fans at the venue with again, some questionable referring decisions that threatened the smooth flow of the game. However, that did not daunt the spirits of the players who continued to play hard, exhibiting a high degree of athleticism, technical and tactical acumen at both ends of the pitch. The first half ended with the scores tied 0-0.
Anticipation was high for a humdinger of a final half and so it turned out. Alpha took the lead three minutes into the half, attacking the JB Singh Highway goal; it was a well judged strike from Andrew Murray (his first goal of the FINALE) who was fed from a corner that was taken by his Captain, Dwight Peters.
The otherwise efficient Slingerz custodian, Winslow McDowall had no answer to the shot as he was beaten on the near post. Accustomed to fighting their way back into contention was again evident on the part of Slingerz, and it was done in fantastic fashion by their Captain, Tischard Joseph with a classical free kick that curled into the back of the nets to the right of goalkeeper Alex Murray in the 57th minute; Joseph’s third goal of the season.
Both McDowall and Alex Murray were brought into action on quite a few occasions on a slippery pitch after rain intervened during the game. McDowall saved a blinder of a shot from close range that was tipped over the bar in the final 10 minutes.
Despite playing a man short, Slingerz were able to keep Alpha at bay for an equal share of the points as they also maintained their unbeaten record with their first draw of the FINALE.
The opening match saw the constantly improving Monedderlust dominating Fruta Conquerors for the entire first half as they looked a solid bunch destined for their second win with every passing minute.
Fifty-one minutes into the match, Kevin Cottoy fired in his first goal of the FINALE which handed Monedderlust the advantage much to the delight of the entire team; it was just reward for the dominance of the West Berbice side.
Even as they {Monedderlust} continued to enjoy the better of the exchanges despite a few bright flashes for Conquerors, poor judgement by the standing referee gifted Conquerors
the equalizing goal in the 71st minute.
In plain view of all present, Monedderlust’s goalkeeper Elvis Rutherford clearly kept the ball out of the goal despite part of his body being over the line. In keeping with the laws of the game it was not a goal but that was the view of the standing referee who signaled to the center circle, effectively ruling that it was a goal to the utter dismay of the Monedderlust team, other officials and fans on hand.
Jahall Greaves was the Conquerors player who took the shot, it was his 7th goal of the FINALE, tying teammate Hubert Pedro and one behind joint leaders, Alpha’s Delon Lanferman and Anthony Abrams.
Monedderlust could not recover from that decision which allowed Conquerors the opportunity to nail the winning goal four minutes later, a ripping free kick that penetrated the wall and goalie Rutherford in lightening fashion off the boot of Rishawn Sandiford in the 76th minute.
Round 12 play will commence of Friday at the same venue when Alpha United face the home team from 18:30hrs. A potentially pulsating feature match is in the making when Slingerz match skills with Conquerors.
Points Standings at the end of Round 11
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