Providence takes Stars $30,000 title

Providence United is the newest name on the DirecTV North East Stars Champion of Champions Invitational Football Tournament. The Sangre Grande based team eased past Express United 3-0 in the New Years Day final at Ojoe Rd Recreational Ground, Sangre Grande. Cheered on by massive local support, the boys in green, inspired by T&T national player, Anthony Wolfe of North East Stars, took the lead and never looked back. John Stewart added a second, before the third goal allowed Providence to snatch the $30,000 first prize from the Arima team to huge applause. The final was the culmination of the five-week annual tournament designed to give profile to the North East Regions amateur clubs and provide a professional format. Tournament organiser and main sponsor, Darryl Mahabir, owner of Japs Fried Chicken, said: “This was a great tournament. Providence had such a poor start, losing one and drawing two of their first 3 games.

 

“They only reached the semifinal after a playoff against Biche United. “They then managed to overcome Guayaguayare United, the fancied favourites, by 3-1. “But they came through in the end and I’m delighted for them.” Aside from the $30,000 first prize, there were several individual awards handed out including the Most Goals trophy to Gorean Highley of Express United who scored seven goals in the first four matches, and Best Goalkeeper awarded to the Guayaguayare United custodian. The Providence players were delighted in the cash reward and promptly set about celebrating at the bar and partying to 104 Boom Champions DJs before the beginning of the 2012 Soccer Fete. Over 2,000 people attended the Soccer Fete event which ran from 9 pm until 3 am.