THE PETROTRIN sponsored Fyzabad Community Football League climaxed on Sunday when Boca Juniors retained their coveted Knockout title and strolled away with all the major trophies as the curtains fell on this year’s tourney which concluded at the Petrotrin Fyzabad Recreation Grounds.
Boca Juniors, who earlier in the season copped the opening Fyzabad Community Cup and League crown, proved the better team on the day once more by thrashing ASAP FC 4-1 to complete the hat-trick of titles and pocket the $10,000 pot.
In the first period, both teams had equal opportunities to take the lead but excellent goalkeeping and heavy ground conditions saw the finalists enter the half-time break 0-0. However, Boca Juniors’ Chris Collins opened the scoring in the second session, but had his effort cancelled out by ASAP FC’s Jerome Clarence’s equaliser minutes later (1-1).
Boca then regained the lead with a second item from Collins before Tristan Khan and Renford Martin added one each to complete the resounding 4-1 victory. At the blow of the final whistle, players and fans of the victorious team celebrated jubilantly.
For his competitive exploits, Boca’s Nicholas Bhola was adjudged the tournament’s “Most Valuable Player” while teammate Keston Grant (11) bagged the award for “Most Goals”.
Now in its 29th year, the Fyzabad Community Football League has been noted for producing top players who inevitably go on to represent the country on a national scale. One such player was Bertrand “Bertie” Noel who passed away recently.
At the final, Noel was honoured with a posthumous award for the contribution he made to the development of the league as a player of the now defunct Juventus FC.
According to organisers, the league continues to be grateful to Petrotrin and its predecessor companies for the use of its facility and other support. They also heaped praises on Ralo’s Tent Rental and its former sponsor Tiger Tanks Trinidad Limited. Corporate communications, Brian Williams was also on hand to witness the game and assist with the presentation of prizes which followed.
2014 Honour Roll
League -
1. Boca Juniors ($10,000/ Challenge Trophy)
2. Gallows United ($6,000)
3. Newcomers ($3,000)
Knockout -
1. Boca Juniors ($1,000/ Challenge Trophy)
2. ASAP FC ($500)
Individual Awards -
Newcomers (Most Discipline Club)
Boca Juniors/ Nicholas Bhola (Most Valuable Player)
Gallows/ Shakeem Darius (Most Outstanding Goalkeeper)
Boca Juniors/ Keston Grant (Most Goals)
Gallows/ Atiba Waldron-Gibbs (Player of the Year)
Newcomers/ Sean Procope (Most Outstanding Club Official)
Best Supporter/ Neil Ahford (Male)
Best Supporter/ Dalia Cross (Female)
South Oropouche/ Tevin Scott (Junior Player of the Year)