Vincentian footballers help lift Barbados KO title

Five Vincentian footballers helped OKG Rendezvous lift the KFC Champions Cup knockout trophy last Sunday night at the Wildey Football Astro Turf in Barbados.{{more}}

Rendezvous, with a hat trick from Shandell Samuel, a brace from his cousin Myron Samuel, and another from Romano Snagg, inflicted a 6-1 thumping of Division One club Mackeson Brittons Hill.

Shandell Samuel’s goals were scored in the 19th, 55th and 62nd minutes, while Myron Samuel converted a penalty in the 2nd minute, with the other coming in the 75th.

Snagg’s conversion came in the 79th minute.

Walton Burrowes scored the consolation goal for Brittons Hill in the 59th minute.

The win saw Rendezvous, a Division Two team, pocket BDS$20,000 and become the first lower division team to win the Barbados knockout title for more than three decades.

Shandell Samuel carted off two individual titles — the best striker and the most outstanding player awards.

Rendezvous scored an incredible 37 goals, with Shandell Samuel scoring 15 of them.

And, much of the success of Rendezvous this season has been attributed to the input of two other Vincentians.

Also providing potency for Rendezvous was midfielder Damal Francis and Norel George.

Reports say that Francis was the architect and designer of most of the forays made by Rendezvous in Sunday’s final, which was played amidst rain caused by the effects of tropical storm Chantal.

The Rendezvous team also includes several past Barbadian players, including Jeffrey Williams and Gregory “Lalu” Goodridge.

In getting to the final, some of Rendezvous’ casualties were six-time winners of the competition — Claytons Kola Tonic Notre Dame and Pride of Gall Hill.(RT)