By: Curtis Morton
A stunning left booter which whizzed to the left of a stranded goal keeper, will be talked about for months to come. Of the 83 goals scored during the 2013 edition of the Legends’ cup, this must surely rank as the number one goal of the entire series.
What is even more amazing it was the grand finale of the series and Slybo Stoney Grove Strikers were behind the eight ball, with CCC Bath United leading with a scoreline of 1 goal to nil and perhaps relaxed with the ‘knowledge’ that they had secured the cup…and then it happened.
A determined Captain of the Stoney Grove team, Sheldon ‘DAPPER’ Newton, started a run through on the right flank and as the challenge increased, he made a belated pass to Deon ‘SKETTIE’ Thompson who peeled off the astonishing left booter which went screaming into the back of the net.
It was in the 90th minute of the game.
Four minutes of injury time was added with no change to the score line.
The players came off for a brief period but the Stoney Grove team knew then that they were back in the game.
The match then went in to overtime with 15 minutes per half and the first half produced some more intense play but no goals. Members of the sizable crowd were predicting a penalty shoot out to determine the outcome.
A foul in close proximity to the penalty area, caused FIFA referee Kimbell Ward to award a free kick to the CCC Bath team which was superbly netted by the experienced Dale Farrell made it 2-0 in favour of the Bath team and then shortly after, a defensive error by the Stoney Grove team, saw Keanu Thibou making a solo run through, with just the goal keeper to beat.That he did with deft touch to make it a lead of 3 goals to nil in favour of the Bath team.
Soon after that, the screech of the Referee’s whistle sparked grand celebrations for the Bath team. They had indeed secured the legends’ cup 2013.
President of the Nevis Football Association, George BRIGO Meade indicated after the game that the presentation ceremony will be held in the not too distant future, at a date to be announced.
Statistics on the finals:
CCC Bath 3 – 1 SSG Strikers
Dale Farrell 1 Deon Thompson 1
Carlos Chapman 1
Keanu Thibou 1
The previous night, Saturday 5th October, two very exciting semi final matches were played
Results from the Semi-Finals of the Legends Cup 2013
First Game 6:00 pm
SSG Strikers 2 – 1 Villa International
Delroy Arthurton 2 – Amal Lake 1
Second Game
CCC Bath 2 – 1 SLH Highlights
Dale Farrell 1 – Adrian Williams 1
Alfred “Akbo” Taylor 1
The Legends’ Cup returned an astounding total of 83 goals in just 19 games of the competition.
These are the main contributors to this count:
Bronx -Powell Cardin 4
SSG- Newton Daquane Ziggy 4
SSG- Newton Errol Marley 4
Bath- Taylor Alfred Akbo 4
Bath- Farrell Dale 4
SSG- Delroy Newton Del 4
Highlights- Williams Adrian 4
Highlights- Woods Alvin 3
SSG- Liburd Naim 3
VILLA- Bailey Ash 3
Allstars- Morton Curtis Pash 3
VILLA- Lake Amal 3
Highlights- Jean Jacques Jamal 2
Hard times- Hanley Sean 2
SSG- Claxton Keri 2
VILLA -Campbell Alvin Yardi 2
Allstars- Herbert Laughton 2
Allstars- Mills Noah 2
Bath- Chapman Carlos 2
Most Team Goals – SSG Strikers 22
Best Goal Difference – SSG Strikers +16
Best Team Defense – Bath & Highlights 5