The second semi-final of the Sagicor UWI Guild Champions League, played on Sunday November 24th was an unnecessarily tense affair, as defending champions Attica of Taylor Hall did their best to miss a host of chances throughout the match, that kept their opponents Che of Chancellor Hall, in the game all the way to the final whistle.
The second semi-final of the Sagicor UWI Guild Champions League, played on Sunday November 24th was an unnecessarily tense affair, as defending champions Attica of Taylor Hall did their best to miss a host of chances throughout the match, that kept their opponents Che of Chancellor Hall, in the game all the way to the final whistle.
The game was played on a very soft, wet and slippery field made almost unplayable by the first semi-final.
Attica started the game on the front foot with Che willing to play on the counter-attack and they got their first half chance from one such opportunity. A quick outlet pass to David Beezer presented him with a chance to run at the last defender before he was joined by teammate Coswayne Samms. The pass to Samms was behind the player and the opportunity was lost.
The game went into a lull as neither team was creating any real goal scoring opportunities. The game was crying out for a goal to bring it to life, but instead both teams were guilty of giving the ball away in the difficult playing conditions.
In the 20th minute, Cordel Rattray provided a beautiful whipped cross to Oral Johnson who was unable to make the most of the chance.
On another counter Samms was allowed to run more than 10 yards with the ball and as space opened up he chose to shoot when passing was a better option. His weak effort eventually went wide as the scores remained 0-0 with half time beckoning.
A few minutes later Che had a corner which was whipped in by Beezer dangerously into the box but the resolute Attica defence was able to clear the danger.
On their next attack, Attica created the best chance of the half. A neat and swift left sided move saw the ball being centered to Johnson who slipped a pass to Tempest. The pass was behind the winger and the opportunity seemed lost, but he produced a fine bit of skill to beat his marker and produce an inch perfect pass to Andre ‘Rambo’ Smith who inexplicably missed from point blank range, shooting wide of the target.
Che had the last chance of the half when they were awarded a free kick on the edge of the area. The shot was crashed straight into the wall, reflecting the entire first half.
The action was intense at the start of the second half, both teams intent on getting the game’s opening goal. The first real effort at goal coming from Imron Ford, who saw his goal bound effort deflected behind for a corner kick.
Che were passing and possessing the ball a lot better than they did in the first half making the game a lot more balanced.
Second half substitute Miguel Brissitt stung the palms of the Che keeper after a good patient build up by Attica. It was a brilliant diving save from him to keep the scores level at 0-0.
The introduction of the experienced Brissitt allowed Attica to take back control of the midfield and this led to more Attica chances.
They created three opportunities in three minutes as the Che goal came under siege. In the 66th minute Oral Johnson beat a defender before shooting high over the bar from inside the box. A minute later he turned another defender before shooting again, this time his shot skimmed the crossbar on the way over as loud moans could be heard coming from the Attica section of the crowd.
To his credit, Johnson maintained his composure and received another pass in behind the defence in the 68th minute. With the keeper flatfooted and the defenders appealing for offside he slotted home to finally break the deadlock for the defending champions.
His celebrations was more of relief than joy. The toll of missing so many chances before no doubt affecting his confidence.
With time running out, Che threw everything but the kitchen sink at Attica but were unable to breach the defence of a team that prides itself on not conceding goals.
Che’s last chance came in stoppage time when the ball fell nicely to one of their forward’s but just as he shot, the effort was blocked and the danger averted for the defending champions.
The last kick of the game fell to Johnson who beat the offside trap and smacked his shot against the crossbar with the goalkeeper at his mercy. He more than anyone else was happy to hear the final whistle to end his nightmare in front of goal despite the fact that he got the match winner.
Photo: Oral Johnson of Attica got the game winner
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