Avenues 3peats NCC Premier Division football title

Avenues United was crowned undisputed champions of local club football when they clutched the premier division title of the National Lotteries Authority National Club Championships Sunday at Victoria Park, for the third successive time.{{more}}

Unlike the previous two titles, it was no runaway affair as Avenues had to win Sunday night’s final match against BESCO Pastures to edge out their opponents by the goal difference route.

Any other result would have handed Pastures the title.

A goalless first half set the stage for an intriguing second half.

Avenues’ moment of glory came in the 65th minute, when Richard Hayde, with a goal from the top drawer, eluded two Pastures defenders, to send his right-footed shot past Egon Dickson, to set the Victoria Park alight.

The remaining minutes were tension filled, as referee Caswell Cambridge had to dish out cards to calm the emotions simmering between the two teams.

Avenues held on to keep their unbeaten record firmly intact, as they finished with four wins and four drawn matches.

Both teams ended on 16 points, but Avenues sidestepped Pastures by a superior goal difference.

Layou closed out the top three with 15 points from their eight matches.

An overjoyed manager of Avenues, Marvin Fraser, told SEARCHLIGHT “It is a great feeling … It is good for the players, our supporters and the Paul’s Avenue community … It means a lot for all us.”

Fraser said that of all the titles, the 2012 edition was their toughest.

“It was not easy … the other teams came out at us, but we held on,” he stated.

“… We could not do this on our own … thanks must go out to Gaymes Bookstore and Premier Distributors and to God for seeing us through to another title,” Fraser said.

Looking ahead, while savouring the moment, Fraser said, “We are still looking at participating in the CONCACAF Club championships … We know it is costly, but we are going to try … We will be depending on the community for its support.”

Avenues ventured into the regional competition in 2010, reaching the second phase.

With their third straight title under their belt, Avenues will receive the biggest pay-out in local club football, as the Venold Coombs led executive had put the winner’s purse at $10,000.

Pride and Joy for Richland Park

Sharing the night’s glory with Avenues was Richland Park Pride and Joy who seized the first division title from Sion Hill.

Both teams, already assured of premiership status in 2013, engaged each other in the quest to be crowned the First Division winners.

It was 1-1 at the end of regulation time.

Julian Mc Nichols netted for Pride and Joy. But Fitz Allan Bramble restored parity when he converted a penalty.

Extra time was ordered, but the dead-lock remained.

Pride and Joy proved to be the more accurate team as they registered four, while Sion Hill managed one successful kick from the penalty spot.

The date for the presentation ceremony is yet to be announced. (RT)