Georges cut Eagle Strikers to shreds

Port Antonio, Portland:

St Georges Sports Club, boosted by a hat-trick from Dever Orgill, routed Eagle Strikers 8-2 in the final of the Portland Co-operative Credit Union (PCCU) knock-out football competition, under wet conditions at Carder Park on Wednesday.

Coach Geoffrey Maxwell lauded his team for the effort and for earning their first silverware of the season.

"It was a good effort," Maxwell said. "Eagle Strikers came back at us in the second half and created quite a scare. Nevertheless, we stepped up our game and got the desired result."

The game was completely dominated by the Premier League team, which is currently lying at the bottom of the table in that competition.

Georges opened the scoring in the eighth minute when Orgill capitalised on a defensive error and fired past the goalkeeper for a one-nil lead. The striker was at it again in the 23rd and 27th minutes, respectively.

Leon Irving completed the scoring for Georges in the first half, putting away a header from a cross by Orgill in the 39th minute.

The second half saw Eagle Strikers dominating the first 10 minutes, and during that time they managed to pull back two goals in four minutes.

Penalty

In the first instance, they were awarded a penalty after Kamar Campbell was brought down by goalkeeper Ralston Robinson. Marshall Roper scored from the spot in the 47th minute.

Rodge Afflick completed the scoring in the 51st.

St Georges' other goals were scored by Irving in the 57th minute, Girvon Brown in the 61st and by substitutes Damion Harwood and Romeo Parkes, in the 74th and 93rd minutes, respectively.

Losing coach Dean Weston blamed his team's loss on a lack of preparation, saying the players never attended training and were underprepared.

Georges were presented with the winners' cheque of $70,000 and the Portland Co-operative Credit Union Trophy, while Eagle Strikers collected $50,000.

Additionally, St Georges have advanced to the Flow All-Island Knockout Championship.

Anthony Morrison, PCCU's marketing manager, said they will remain committed to sports throughout the parish, noting that football is the only way forward for some.

"We are happy to be involved," he said. "More than $800,000 was involved in sponsorship for this competition and I am sure it can only get better. It was good to see all 15 teams participating. But hats off to Georges for winning this competition for the seventh consecutive year."