Sion Hill sets new mark in Masters’ football competition

Sion Hill wrote a chapter of their own in the history pages of the National Lotteries Authority SVG Over 35s masters’ football competition, by becoming the first outfit to repeat the title.

The men in green and black claimed a 1-0 nil win over National Properties Third World Man Shop Richmond Hill last Thursday night at the Victoria Park, to remain in custody of the top spot, but more so, the bragging rights.

Sion Hill’s lone goal was converted by Randy Pierre late in the second half.

The tense final grew more nervy when Richmond Hill was awarded a penalty for a handled ball.

But the kick was muffed as Cornelius Huggins failed to get the ball past the Sion Hill custodian.

Soon after, the sound of referee Ronnie Lee’ s final whistle blew to send the Sion Hill players and supporters in celebrations, whilst Richmond Hill and theirs, with the second place and the consolation of the title still resting in East Kingstown.

It was second time in the competition that Sion Hill was inflicting a one-nil defeat on their neighbours as both teams had met in the group stages of the preliminary round.

Sion Hill reached the final after emerging as winners of Group A with 15 points, then won by default from Bequia in the quarter-finals and swished Layou 3-1 in the semi-finals.

On the other hand, Richmond Hill, who was second in Group A, progressed to the semi-finals by registering a 4 -1 win on penalties over Largo Height, following a 0-0 draw in the quarter-finals.

Richmond Hill beat SESCO 4-3, also on penalties, after playing to a one-all draw in the semi-finals. 
SESCO beat Layou eight-nil to earn the third spot.

Tyrone Prince scored four, Italo Gumbs had two, and there was one each from Curtis Joseph and Kamara Richards.

Sion Hill collected a trophy, medals and $3,000. Richmond Hill got $2,000, along with a trophy and medals, while SESCO received $1,000, medals and a trophy. 

This year’s competition saw 14 teams vying for honours.