Camptown, Topp XX to clash in K&S final
By Isaiah Chappelle
Guyana Chronicle
December 30, 2003
THE disputed Western Tigers, playing under the Kashif & Shanghai (K&S) All Stars banner, at last stumbled, with an unlucky 2-1 loss to Camptown, setting up a repeat of the 2000 final as Topp XX expectedly disposed easily of newcomers Silver Shattas 4-0.
In Sunday’s semifinals at the Camptown ground, the Tigers and Camptown were deadlocked 1-1 at the end of regulation and extra time, but the homesters prevailed from the penalty spot 4-2.
Eddie Gomes put in the leading goal for Western Tigers, while Nigel Codrington equalised for Camptown.
Camptown as usual started out hot and faded away after 15 minutes. They forced the first corner within three minutes of play, getting four others in the half. The Campbellville boys, however, concentrated on injuring the Tigers as the West Ruimveldt team began taking control of the run of play.
Midfielder Rayon Thomas suffered a head injury that required a bandage from the top of his head and running under his chin. He was back on in the 14th minute, while defence player Kelvin McKenzie was brought off on a stretcher in the 35th minute.
But Camptown made control slip from their hands as Elton Brown failed to finish some good build-ups -- at least four glaring chances in the first half. He was eventually red-carded, viciously fouling an opponent during extra time play.
In the 20th minute, Brown was alone just inside the box at left, receiving a super cross but failed to shoot to the empty goal. Another chance came from a free kick taken at right, receiving the ball at left, again just inside the box and hitting it high over the crossbar.
Then in the 39th minute, goalkeeper Marlon Hendricks denied Western Tigers a goal. From a build-up along the right wing, Gomes shot from ten metres out and Hendricks flew to punch the ball out. The ensuing mix-up close to goal did not produce the goal and the first half ended goalless.
Western Tigers were in control from the start of the second half, forcing the first corner, three minutes after the resumption and injected fresh legs in guest player Devon Edinboro.
But Tigers star player Eron Hayde let them down, throwing away three crucial goals. The first was in the 55th minute. National Under-23 captain Shawn Beveney, in tremendous display of sheer power and skill, worked his way from way down in the half to the top of Camptown’s box, crossed to a totally unmarked Hayde at left, and he shot past the last post.
However, Gomes made no mistake in the 75th minute. Defence player Julian Barker carried the ball past the halfway line, passed to the top of the box, another pass found Thomas at left, who crossed and the ball actually headed for goal at the near post. Hendricks fumbled on the ground and Gomes finished.
Then five minutes later, the ball was surprisingly played back, catching Western Tigers’ defence flat-footed, and Camptown pounced on the loose ball. Codrington got the pass and faced the goalkeeper alone, placing the ball past him as he advanced to intercept.
At regulation time, the match was deadlocked 1-1 then just after the changeover in extra time, the referee ejected Brown. Shortly after, Hayde sinned big-time. He received a good right cross, and from inside the box, shot past the last post.
The battle continued from the penalty spot. The first kicks were good. Then in second round, Codrington’s shot was saved. Hayde then had the opportunity of giving Western the lead, but sent a gift to Hendricks to save. Hendricks then took the fourth kick that was good, then saved his counterpart’s. After Holligan netted the fifth, there was no need for the Tigers to kick again.
Earlier, Anthony Abrams hit a double for Topp XX, with Collie Hercules and Carey Harris putting in one each.
Abrams was in the net within seven minutes of play and completed his double just before the halftime whistle to give his team a 2-0 lead.
Hercules scored his in the 61st minute and Harris wrapped up victory in the 88th minute.