New York Caribbean Cup. 
ENY State Soccer Association.
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A couple days before today’s New York Caribbean Cup Championship Day, weather forecasters cast a veil of doubt and despair over the final day by predicting hurricane Hermine would be passing through or close by the New York area today. Whether it would be a direct hit or close by, thunder showers were predicted.
The Caribbean Cup organizers must have shook in their boots particularly since a sizeable crowd was expected as is usual on NY Caribbean Cup Soccer Championship Day. When asked why the fans were not showing up for games as in previous years, the Cup organizers were at a loss for reasonable explanations, but today would be different.
Anyway, based on the crowd response from last Sunday’s semifinal games, a similar or better attendance was hoped for this afternoon so when the weatherman forecasted Hermine was on her way it was not a welcomed prediction by Caribbean Cup.
Mother Nature, however, spared us and it was a welcomed sight when we got to the park under the cover of a pleasant sunny afternoon ushered by a cooling wind.
Team Grenada (2) vs (1) Team Guyana
Team Grenada and Team Guyana opened the twin bill in a battle for third place in this year’s 25th anniversary Championship Day.
The midfield battle was on and the first angry shot on goal was taken by Spice Boy Ken Ganness that was mishandled by Richie Richards who recovered quickly to clean up his mess.
At the twenty-fifth minute mark Denron Frederick latched onto a ball through the heart of the Team Guyana defense and out-muscled Kester Jacobs to knock the ball pass the goalkeeper.
Eight minutes later The Spice Boyz doubled the score when the Golden Jaguars failed to clear long throw into their box and allowed an alert Lisdon Jules to tap home. That closed the scoring in the half as the teams went to the break Team Grenada 2 Team Guyana 0.
The second half turned into a bruising battle between two of the better teams in the tournament, the Grenada Spice Boyz trying to extend their lead while the Guyana Golden Jaguars fighting to bring the game closer.
Finally the Golden Jaguars pulled one back when Marlon Benjamin deftly sent a defender the wrong way and had goalkeeper Ken Searles at his mercy.
That was the final tally in the game as Team Grenada went home winners 2-1 over Team Guyana.
Team Jamaica (0) vs (0) Team Antigua & Barbuda
The Championship game between Team Jamaica and Team Antigua & Barbuda was one of the better played New York Caribbean Cup Soccer Finals. Team Jamaica playing in a NY Caribbean Cup Soccer final for the umpteenth time, while this was Team Antigua and Barbuda’s first.
For the first fifteen minutes or so both teams battled for control of the midfield. Midfield maestro Jermaine Hue weaved his mastery while on the other side Peter Byers and Eugene Kirwan gave the Jamaica defense no ends of trouble.
Both teams came out in the second half hunting that golden goal and with the game seemingly heading for penalty shootout, Eugene Kirwan provided the winner. Peter Byers outmuscled Carlos Wright down the left flank and just as the ball was about to go over the touchline, Byers got a toe to the ball and re-directed it to Kirwan lurking in the six yard box.
Behind for the first time in a championship match you could see some panic set in with Team Jamaica as the clock was definitely not in their favour.
All in all, it was a well-played championship game that brought the curtain down on an otherwise disappointing season.
Awards:
Most Goals: Denron Frederick (Grenada) & Eugene Kirwan (ANB) 5-goals each
Outstanding Goalkeeper: Molvin James (ANB)
MVP: Molvin James (ANB)
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