Soesdyke needle Waiakabra to take the top prize; Neron Barrow is MVP

Mar 28, 2023 Sports

PPP Soesdyke/Timehri Highway Cluster 7-A-Side Football

Kaieteur News – Two days of exciting 7-a-side football culminated on Sunday evening when Soesdyke, through a Mark Barker second-half goal emerged as the inaugural champions of the People’s Progressive Party Soesdyke/Timehri/Highway Cluster organized competition.

Played at the Banakari Ground situated at Long Creek on the Linden Soesdyke Highway, Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister, Honourable Kwame McCoy amongst other officials including Ms. Michelle Drepaul, Askari Ferrier, Everton Poole, and Pierre Andrews, witnessed exciting action as the twelve (12) teams all displayed skills of some sort but it was the Soesdyke boys who claimed the top prize of $100,000, medals and a trophy with their win over Waiakabra which walked away with $50,000 and a trophy.

Champs! The victorious Soesdyke team poses with Minister McCoy and other officials following the presentation of prizes.

Following Saturday’s opening rivalry which saw all 12 teams competing, the quarter-finals were contested on Sunday when Soesdyke defeated Hauraruni 2-0, through goals from the tournament’s Most Valuable Player, Neron Barrow Jonathan Bailey.

The Captain of the Waiakarba team receives the second-place trophy in the presence of his teammates, from Ms. Michelle Drepaul.

Waiakabra were then pushed to the hilt to turn back the challenge of Yarrowkabra, 3-2 on kicks from the penalty mark as both regulation and extra time failed to produce any goals. Bamia trounced Kuru Kuru College 3-1, thanks to goals from Marcus Johnson, Jvonte Lewis, and Kevin Charles. Kuru Kuru Colleges’ consolation strike came from, Steven Smith.

Neron Barrow collects the MVP trophy from Mr. Everton Poole.

Swan Madewani eased into the semi-finals on account of a brace from Edson Williams, Circuit Ville failed to score.

Both semi-finals were decided by respective 1-0 score lines, Waiakabra’s Joshua Grant netting the winner against Bamia, with Soesdyke’s Tyrone Khan sealed his side’s place in the final and subsequent title, with the winner against Swan Madaweni.

Khan along with Edson Williams of Swam Madaweni and Yarrowkabra’s Terrence Glasgow ended as the competition’s joint leading goal scorers, with a brace each. Waiakabra’s Marlon Fernandez was adjudged the tournament’s Best Goalkeeper.

Best Goalkeeper, Marlon Fernandez is rewarded by Mr. Pierre Andrews.

Minister McCoy, in brief remarks

Mr. Askar Ferrier and the three joint highest goal scorers with the trophy.

following the presentation of prizes to the top individual performers and teams, thanked them all for making the tournament a resounding success. Gratitude was also extended to the hundreds of fans who turned up over the two days to cheer their teams on.

Minister McCoy promised the communities that His Excellency, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali and the Government of Guyana are fully committed to their development in the area of sports and would be working hand in hand with the Ministry of Sport to ensure that their needs are taken care of. Similar activities are planned for the near future.

• Mark Barker, Neron Barrow Jonathan Bailey, People’s Progressive Party Soesdyke/Timehri/Highway Cluster, Waiakabra, Yarrowkabra