Anse la Raye and Dennery emerged as finalists of this season’s Blackheart Knockout Football Tournament following an eventful semifinal double-header played at the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground [DSCG], last Saturday.
Gripping were both matches which were decided via the penalty kick tussle route, as the games ended in goalless draws in both instances.
Despite the lack of goals in regulation time from the competitors, the vociferous fans were kept in a buoyant mood for the matches, cheering on their respective teams.
In the earlier encounter, Anse la Raye made early inroads into the La Clery defense, but were unable to convert that elusive goal as the contest wore on. And when the urban-city squad hit back with matching offensive aggression, the Anse la Raye defenders struck it out boldly and decisively to thwart off the counter attacks.
As the match headed into the final minutes, the cheering grew louder – but it was the west-coast team fans that raised the volume in support of their side. Anse la Raye attempted a final offensive run into the danger zone, but by then the strikers appeared a bit weary after a challenging encounter that was interspersed with breaks for injury time.
Heading into the final lap, the game got a lot more physical and the officiating referee had to step in several times to quell the on-field disputes and arguments among opposing players and match officials.
But at crunch time, Anse la Raye made their presence felt to run away winners and finalists in the BKF tournament.
Dennery too, went all the way versus Gros Islet in another game that was too frequently interrupted by the referee’s whistle to facilitate injury time. Dennery appeared the better of the two sides – and despite the home advantage at the DSCG, the northern-based team were unable to pull away from their opponents to strike decisively.
Ultimately, in the ensuing penalty kick shootout, the Dennery goal- keeper brought out two brilliant saves, to back up his strikers that shot successfully from the spot.
The stakes are high, and undoubtedly the two most deserving teams’ from the contest are now set for a shot at the championship title.
Having taken down the might of the ‘Four-Peat’ BKF defending champions Dennery (2016- 2019); former BKF champions Anse la Raye (2011) are desperately shaping up for another title challenge.
Dennery, also former BKF champions are formidable opponents and have held their own consistently in past competitions. They will be eagerly looking to add some more championship mettle to their stock in what is anticipated to be a ‘tough challenge’ in the making.
Supporters and fans of the opposing finalists will be in tow and the atmosphere at the DSCG is expected to be turned up some notches, on Saturday, for the culmination of another exciting season of the Blackheart Knockout Football championships.