Gareth Davis Sr, Freelance Reporter

A 51st minute goal from prolific striker and captain, Damion 'Boy Boy' Harwood, gave St Georges a 1-0 victory over Manchioneal in Thursday's final, enabling the Buff Bay premier league team to gain its fourth straight hold on the Portland Cooperative Credit Union KO Trophy.

The victory also saw St Georges pocketing the winner's cheque of $45,000, while Manchioneal secured $25,000.

In an evenly contested game, which saw Georges coach Donovan Duckie using nine players from the bench who have not yet played in the Premier League, Georges squandered a number of easy chances in the first half.

In the second off, however, Georges picked up the pace and were rewarded after Dale Wallace made a cross from the left flank which found the unmarked Harwood, who headed past Oraine Hardy in the Manchioneal goal.

Excellent goalkeeping

Finding themselves a goal behind, Manchioneal lifted their game through Jerome Forsythe, Denzel Barnett and Raphael Coombs, but excellent goalkeeping from Randal Hue denied them an equaliser.

After the match, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Portland Cooperative Credit Union, Martin Blackwood, said his company remains committed to sports in the parish and places emphasis on developing the skill and talent of youngsters who, given the opportunity, can be the stars of tomorrow.

"I am making a commitment that next season the sponsorship will again be increased," he said. Their sponsorship amount this season was $330,000.

Blackwood added: "I will not disclose the increase at this time, but we also want to increase the number of teams taking part in next season's competition."