Courtesy: Nation News


Hail, the Spartans!

14/2/2010

by Kenmore Bynoe

SPARTANS FC are the repeat kings of the Barbados Futsal League - and they have five thousands pieces of "silver" to prove it.

The defending champions from the 2009 edition of the competition - the inaugural one - retained their title with a clinical 3-1 win over Haiti FC when the finals climaxed at the Garfield Sobers Sports Complex on Friday night.

Strikes from Cleve Boyce in the third minute, Riviere Williams in the 33rd, and Jeffrey Williams in the 34th cancelled out goals from Chad Bynoe in the 17th and Mark Alleyne in the 40th to hand the Spartans the first-place cheque for $5 000.

Haiti FC might have felt peeved to be second best but the second prize of $3 000 was a tremendous improvement on the empty pockets and last place that they were left with at the end of the 2009 tournament.

Against all odds, they reached the final with Mark Anthony and Bynoe scoring in a 2-1 victory over Boca Juniors in the semis.

Spartans destroyed Mount Gay Zeddos United 6-1 in their semi, thanks to double strikes from both Williamses and goals from captain Omar Archer and Curtis Blackman. Leading goalscorer Sherwin Success was denied the chance to improve his tally for Zeddos.

Zeddos at least earned the third spot and $1 500 when they defeated Boca 3-2. Three goals in the space of three minutes swung the game Zeddos' way, as Oscar Nero (33rd minute), Ryan Grimes (34th), and Sherwin Success (35th) found the nets. Jamal Watson and Tito Barrow scored for Boca.

With the Williams pair and former international Gregory "Lalu" Goodridge in their line-up, Spartans entered the final as favourites. And a goal by Cleve Boyce in the third minute followed the script.

However, Chad Bynoe equalised for Haiti FC in the 17th minute, and Spartans came under some pressure, with the Haiti fans waving their placards even higher and jeering their opponents.

The robust play of Spartans custodian Bernard Howell - who emerged as Best Goalkeeper - kept Haiti FC at bay, and he played a key role in the pivotal goal.

Thirteen minutes into the second half, Howell pulled off a fantastic save and launched the ball upfield to Riviere Williams who duly scored. One minute later, Jeffrey Williams added Spartans' third goal.

An uncharacteristic fumble by Howell in the final minute of the match allowed Mark Alleyne to score Haiti FC's second goal - but it proved too little and too late to deny Spartans another futsal title and another great pay day.


Posted by Luca Ranocchiari --> luca.ranocchiari@futsalplanet.com