The approximately 3,000 patrons who were at the Dwight Yorke Stadium to witness the all east finals in the Tobago Football Association FA competition last Sunday were not disappointed as they were treated to a feast of 16 goals in the double header.
The final was billed as a memorial in honour of John "Taka" Waldron whose tragic death in a road accident two weeks ago plunged the island's football fraternity into mourning. Roxborough Lakers started the more purposeful of the two teams and had the better of the early exchanges.
A speculative long ball out of defense found the Unifiers defense beaten and their custodian racing off his line to clear the ball but missed it, leaving striker Kern Harris with the simple task of tapping the ball into an open net.
Unifiers should have responded almost immediately as semi-final hero, Kevin McKenna and brother Garvin McKenna missed some easy chances.
Then came the goal of the match, Roxborough's Quacy Beckles, racing down the left flank exchanged passes with Shamir Reid. From all of forty metres he observed the Unifiers custodian, Quincy Moore, off his line and floated a left footed lob goal-ward that scored to give Lakers a two-nil lead.
Lakers seal the issue when Grevon Crooks score their third goal late in the game and Harris completed his brace in added on time.
Melville was voted MVP of the final for his heroics between the posts while a token presentation was made to stand-in captain Shamir Reid by Assemblyman Wendell Berkley.
In the third place battle between Premier Division Hills United and Western Conference Black Rock United which precluded the final, spectators watched in awe as Eustace "Yuyu" Stewart helped himself to a five goal blitz which propelled Hills to a 6-4 moral boosting victory. Esron Hinds rounded off the scoring from the penalty spot while Michael Carrington and Adrian Morris with two goals a-piece for Black Rock, ensured that it was a close game throughout.
Hills United will therefore join the two finalists in the National FA Competition later this month.