Unity?of Trinidad and Tobago captured their third Banks International Masters football title in a gritty final against Vincy Masters on Whit Monday at the Wanderers playing field.
The game finished 6-5 via the penalty shoot-out route as neither team was able to penetrate the other’s defence in regulation time.
It was the ideal finish to the four-day event, now in its 15th year. A huge crowd was on hand, as spectators braved brief showers and sweltering heat to see what the “old boys” could do.
Earlier in the day, tournament favourites Claytons Kola Tonic Notre Dame were ousted in the semi-final by Vincy Masters 1-0, courtesy a goal from Derek Duponte. This came moments after tough tackling midfielder Levere Blackman kicked a penalty directly at the goalkeeper.
In the second semi-final, it was an all “Trini” affair but Unity displayed pure dominance to defeat Santa Cruz 2-0 with goals from former Trinidad national forward Leonson Lewis and Dave Smith.
Notre Dame salvaged some glory for the locals in the third place play-off against Santa Cruz. Shawn Watson and Ainsley Cumberbatch gave the Bay Land unit a 2-0 cushion before John Carlos Garcia cut the deficit to one with a fine piece of skill inside the penalty area as Dames won 2-1.
In the Plate final, defending cup champions Saints of Trinidad and Tobago ran out 2-0 winners over Real Old Men of Grenada. Daryl Emannuel and Colin Zamore, with second-half goals ensured the Trinis their first of two titles of the evening.
Vincy Masters and Unity both topped their group with impressive performances and it was their defences which stood out in the final, especially that of Unity, where there was a keen battle between centre back Herman Charles and former Vincentian national, Kendal Velox.
Velox was a constant menace for the Unity defence for the full hour, along with strike partner Dexter Walker, who used his strength and height well in the area.
Unity were buoyed by having the tournament’s leading scorer Lewis in fine form while Alvin Bossior was the midfield maestro and orchestrator.
Bossior thrilled the crowd with good ball skills and precise passing but failed to penetrate the Vincy Masters defence.
As it went down to penalties, Unity’s custodian Dexter Absoloum was the hero as he came up with two important saves to seal victory for Unity, joining Wanderers “A” as the most successful team of the festival with three titles (2001, 2006, and 2011).
