Basseterre, St. Kitts (December 2, 2013) — In a fast and exciting game played at the Old Recreation Grounds in Sandy Point Sunday December 1, ‘visitors’ Glen ‘Ghost’ Philip Half Way Tree United FC overcame ‘home team’ Dr Norgen Wilson Soho United FC 2-0 to be declared winners of the National Caribbean Insurance Ltd Sandy Point Community Football League 2013.
When the two teams assembled on the field under the watchful eye of referee Stewart Rawlins, they stood as equals with each having amassed 24 points from ten games of which each had won eight and each having lost two games.
The ‘home team’ Dr Norgen Wilson Soho United FC was in the first position due to the fact that they had scored more goals than the ‘visitors’ Glen ‘Ghost’ Phillip Half Way Tree FC. Soho United had 40 goals while Half Way Tree had 28.
The team that won the Sunday game would be declared the overall league champion, and that is how important the game was. It was so intense that the game ended up being a nail biting thriller where the winners were determined after extra time playoff.
It started on a very fast note with each team raiding the goalmouth of the opponent periodically without the desired results. With a home crowd advantage, Dr Norgen Wilson Soho United FC would have raided their opponents’ goalmouth more times but the man between the posts, Chad Pogson, gave then no chance, while many attempts went way off the mark.
Shining for the Dr Norgen Wilson Soho United FC were defender Shane Jeffers and striker Akeem Saunders, but their efforts did not translate into goals. Incidentally the two players are champions in their own right on the cricket field on the national scene.
Towards the end of the regular first half, when Glen ‘Ghost’ Phillip Half Way Tree United FC felt quite some pressure from the determined home boys, they brought in substitute Jasta ‘Red Rock’ Demmings. His presence was immediately felt as he rushed to the opponent’s goalmouth within two minutes of his being on the field, but his shot went over the bar.
At half time, the two teams were deadlocked at nil. The crowd was getting agitated by the minute with many shouting all manner of advice to the players that seemed not to be followed, if not heard. Referee Stewart Rawlins had from time to time to request the crowd on the western side not to step into the field.
At the end of regulation time the two teams were still tied at nil. Thirty of those Playtech games can also be found via Lads’ mobile.the-best-casinos-online.info offering.. The crowd expressed its disapproval when the referee ordered that play goes into extra time as opposed to taking a penalty shootout.
The crowd had swelled at that time, but a much smaller section that was supporting the Half Way Tree United boys had a number of vociferous women who, hands down, out cheered the home crowd.
Stalemate was broken in the 64th minute during the first half of the extra play, when Randy Thomas of the Glen ‘Ghost’ Phillip Half Way Tree United FC capitalised on confusion at the Dr Norgen Wilson Soho United FC goalmouth to outsmart the goalkeeper Rasheed Eddy and found the back of the net.
The crowd went wild, many with open disappointment and others wildly cheering the score.
Fate was sealed for the ‘home team’ Dr Norgen Wilson Soho United FC in the 70th minute, when Captain of the Glen ‘Ghost’ Phillip Half Way Tree United FC, Charles Thomas, easily outwitted goalkeeper Rasheed Eddy to easily slot in the winning goal.
When Referee Stewart Rawlins blew the final whistle, a number of disappointed fans walked away and did not wait for the presentation ceremony which was done by the area parliamentary representative the Hon Shawn Richards, who while thanking the large crowd that had turned up, expressed disappointment that a team from Half Way Tree had won the Sandy Point league.
For his overall performance during the league, which was well executed by the Sandy Point Football Association after a ten year break, Glen ‘Ghost’ Phillip Half Way Tree United FC’s Captain Charles Thomas was named the league’s MVP.
Charles Thomas scored 11 goals during the tournament. Other players who scored 11 goals were Akeem Saunders of Dr Norgen Wilson Soho United FC, and Gavin Marsham of the Alley United FC.