Sunburst Camptown crowned new GFA/ Banks champions

A capacity crowd, which was later entertained at an energetic after-concert featuring Jamaican dancehall maestro, Beenie Man, witnessed Sunburst Camptown emerge as the new champions of the Georgetown Football Association (GFA)/ Banks Beer Knockout Cup football tournament at the Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) ground, Bourda.
The Campbellville-based team defeated Riddim Squad 2-0 on New Year’s Night to cart off the Gy$ 4 million first prize and bragging rights for the year.
In the third place play-off, Northern Rangers came from a goal down to beat the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) 3-1 to pocket Gy$ 1.5 million.
In the championship game, striker Devon Forde was the hero for Sunburst Camptown, netting both of his team’s goals in the second half. Forde was first on target in the 51st minute, and doubled his team’s advantage with the other goal nine minutes later.
On both occasions, Forde was inside the 18-yard box and well placed to receive passes from overlapping mid-field. His teammates found him with regularity low in the box, and he made two of the shots count to lead his team to the title.
This was after the teams had battled relentlessly in the opening 45 minute to snatch the advantage by way of an opening goal. Riddim Squad had to settle for a cash award of Gy$ 2.5 million.
The main supporting clash saw GDF taking an early advantage through Desford Williams in the 20th minute, before Northern Rangers opened the flood gates with three unanswered goals.
Frederick Boyce found the equaliser in the 37th minute, as the first half ended one-all. Upon resumption, Northern Rangers surged ahead when Devon Bowen netted a goal of his own in the 55th minute, before Omally Nassey sealed the match, breaching the defence of the goalkeeper in the 70th minute.
The army team had to settle for the fourth place prize of Gy$ 1 million.
Meanwhile, the other 18 teams that participated in the tournament will stand to benefit handsomely, as they will receive 30 PER CENT of the gate receipts after expenses. Those disbursements will be made shortly, according to Vice President (Administration) of the Georgetown Football Association (GFA), Ivor Thompson.
Thompson said it is the consensus of the GFA executives that the tournament was a huge success, as apart from attracting large crowds, they were able to overcome the challenges as they came, including having the ground fully prepared in the midst of heavy rainfall.
He said all parties involved, including the GFA, Banks DIH Limited, the 22 participating clubs and the spectators, all combined to put forward another high quality tournament for the second year running.