WESTERN BUREAU:
THE LUCEA Police Department will try to outgun unbeaten HQ Football Club when the teams meet in the final of the Hanover Sport Development Council's Steve 'Shorty' Malcolm/Denton 'Mel-wood' Samuels Knockout football tournament today at the Lord's playfiedl in Lucea. Game time is 3:30 p.m.
Luck has been on the side of Lucea Police, who have twice gotten back in the competition as best losers after being knocked out first by Kew 3-2 on penalties after playing to a 1-1 draw in the second round and then going down to HQ 4-3 after playing to a 1-1 tie.
On Wednesday, Lucea Police beat high-riding Malcolm Heights 2-1 to advance to the final of the competition.
HQ were undefeated, having beaten Taxi FC 3-0, registering a 1-0 win over Rock River two weeks ago and administering the same scoreline on Kew on Thursday.
Manager of the Police team, Constable Craig Henry, told The Gleaner that his troops were not planning on "easing up" on the HQ team.
He said he was looking towards his lead striker, Alton Hylton, and defender Rohan Reid to lead the team to victory over HQ.
"We plan to do our best and will be going out in full force to get some goals and win the competition. We are not planning on losing. Hylton has scored three goals in the competition so far and Rohan Reid is a good defender so he is well feared," Henry said.
Certain of victory
However, HQ's coach, Orlando Nicholson, told The Gleaner that victory was certain for his team today.
"On Sunday, victory is a must because we have a confident team. We played police before when we did not have our main central defender, Rolin Nicholson, and we still beat them," Nicholson said. "Now, that he is back, the backline is very sturdy. They (police) do not have a strong backline but they have a strong defender, Rohan Reid, who is our only problem, but we are going to go around him. We are ready for them."
Eighteen teams participated in this year' tournament, up from 16 last year. Other sides included the Hanover Fire Department, Haughton Gardens, Rock River and Cross Roads football clubs, Prosper, Taxi, Central and Esher football clubs.
The competition was first staged in 2005 in memory of the late former Rusea's High and national footballer Stephen 'Shorty' Malcolm and the late Denton 'Melwood' Samuels, also a former Rusea's and national Under-23 player.
It is being spearheaded by Hanoverian expatriate Lloyd 'Bagga' Stewart, who grew up in the community of Johnson Town before migrating to England.
In today's final the teams will vie for the championship trophy named in honour of the deceased footballers and a cash prize of $50,000. Runners-up will receive $20,000 and a trophy.
There will also be sectional cash prizes for the leading goalscorer and the Most Valuable Player.