Lendl Knights scored the winner to crown Plipdeco champions of the SIS Industrial Football League 2014 with a 1-0 win over Arcelor Mittal on Friday night.
The lone goal of the match came in the fourth minute when Knights capitalised on some free space around the penalty area to which he obliged and drilled his effort into the back of the net.
The game could have gone either way as both teams engaged in an enticing encounter with some excellent passing and quick counter attacks. Keston Belfor enjoyed a good day on the field but his missed opportunities did not help in extending Plipdeco’s lead.
Belfor had a golden opportunity in the 17th minute when tournament MVP Ajamu Mattherson whipped an enticing cross that beat everyone as it flashed across the face of the goal, including Belfour, who was inches away on the far side.
Mittal responded positively in the second half but had a goal disallowed for an offense called by the referee on Trevon Mitchell just before the shot was taken.
Mitchell had a chance to make up for the disallowed goal when he received an open header from a throw-in but placed it just wide of the upright.
Andre Marchan followed suit minutes later when he received a cross that evaded Plipdeco’s defenders but was headed straight at custodian Kurtis Jules. Plipdeco held onto their lead as celebrations erupted when the final whistle blew.
The win gave the ‘Port Men’ their first ever SIS Industrial Football League title and they now have the right to call themselves football champions of the Point Lisas Industrial Estate.
Earlier in the day, the AUM division of Industrial Plant Services Limited got the better of opponents Nu Iron by a 1-0 margin to win the third place playoff.
The 2013 champions dominated possession for the majority of the match and were rewarded justly when Akil Noriega headed home a cross from Glendon Reece to beat standout goalie Marlon Richardson in the 26th minute.
Terrence Rajnauth threatened to extend their lead when his effort from 30 yards out rifled against the crossbar much to the relief of the Nu Iron supporters.
The Iron Men had a golden opportunity to send the match into extra time late in the game but Kern Thomas failed to finish a close range effort which he blasted over the crossbar.
AUM secured a relatively comfortable victory and could still take pride in grabbing a third spot finish although they were noticeably disappointed having failed to make the finals to defend their championship.
The SIS Industrial Football League is a concept that was birthed by Super Industrial Services in 2008 after seeing a need on the Point Lisas Industrial Estate for recreational activities.
Subsequent to this, other industrial competitions were introduced, including the Industrial Cricket League and All Fours Competition, among others.
The aim of these activities is to promote camaraderie among the companies that make up the Point Lisas Industrial Estate and to provide an outlet for recreation and healthy competition through sports and other social activities.
However, individual companies have also seen improvements in working relationships within their own ranks as employees from different parts of the organisation come together to represent their company in these industrial competitions.
SUMMARIZED SCORES
IPSL AUM 1 (Akil Noreiga 26’) vs Nu Iron 0
IPSL AUM wins third place
Plipdeco 1 (Lendl Knights 4’) vs Arcelor Mittal 0
Plipdeco wins SIS IFL Championship awards
1st Place: Plipdeco
2nd Place: Arcelor Mittal
3rd Place: IPSL AUM
4th Place: Nu Iron Unlimited
Most Goals: Ajamu Matterson 8 (Plipdeco), Jerron Quashie 8 (Yara), Glendon Reece 8 (AUM)
Tournament MVP: Ajamu Matterson (Plipdeco)