The greatest unexpected encounter that took place in St. Vincent and the Grenadines football history was between Ali "Bice" Monroe at the time one of the national goalkeepers. Ali was a tall well-built young man that played the goalie position, for a young upstart team of skilled dreadlocks players called Superstars.
Superstars were a top, first division team, on the island. On the other side there was Raymond "Ballie" Ballantyne. Ballie was a short fair skinned young man, from the popular sporting family the Ballantynes. He also played on the St. Vincent and the Grenadines national football team and was a key player in the famous 1979 Soccer squad.
Raymond had a pair of big, well-developed thighs, which were pack with power. Bally was capable of taking a spot kick, from the penalty spot, and send that ball flying into the penalty area on the other side of the football field; Raymond was a powerful freak of nature. He played the full-stopper (defender) position on the national team and for the first division team Frenches, which he also led.
A week before; Frenches played one of the bottom teams, for which a young Mouth-Champ, called Maurice was the Goalkeeper. Raymond Ballantyne, the full stopper broke through the team's defense; which left an encounter with him and Maurice.
Maurice, understood the type of Striking power Raymond possessed and did not want none of it. Instead of defending his goal, as is his responsibility; Maurice ran out of the goal and left, the gold to Raymond. Raymond had the opportunity, to just place the ball gently into the empty net, but instead; he struck that soccer ball so hard, it broke the net and went flying into the foreground, in front of the Player provilian at the Victoria Park in Kingstown.
When Raymond, Kicked that ball with such velocity, it was a part of his strategy. Bally was a player, who knew and understood his strength, he wanted the big name goalkeepers to know, I am the monster that goes roar in the night when you sleep. You truly don't want none of this.
Alwyn "Ali" Monroe was in the Western Stand where the soccer fans from Bottom Town congregated, when at a soccer match. Ali being a season and well rounded National Goal keeper, began to tell us what Maurice's mistakes were. Ali said if I was in that position I will not run. I will face Bally and eat the shot. I did not know what Ali meant when he said I will eat the shot.
Ali's utterance, was mighty big talk from a man sitting in the stand. In my mind I said Ali I love you and you are my favorite in a lot of things, but you were not in Maurice's position, you did not have to contend with the power of Raymond Ballantyne; with no defenders to help you. I did not want to believe Ali would have ran from Raymond as Maurice did, but as the old saying goes it is who in the kitchen, that feels the heat; and clearly Maurice did not want to feel the heat.
It was two or so weeks later, a Sunday afternoon; Victoria Park was packed to capacity with soccer fans from all over the country. All of the hardcore soccer fans came out to watch. Two football titans Superstars vs. Frenches was about to clashed. At this stage of the game, Superstars were defending the north goal, while Frenches had responsibility for defending the southern goal. In the same way it was when Maurice, forgot he was in a soccer match but took part in a one hundred Meters dash.
Super Stars was a different caliber team, then the one Maurice played for. I cannot remember the circumstances that lead to the particular play, that give birth to the memorable event that had stuck with me, all of my life; however, Bally caught the Superstars defenders napping, in Frenches half of the field and he broke through their defense.
It was happening again, it was the Maurice Saga happening all over again, however, there was only one difference. Maurice was not in the goal this time it was a Ali Monroe. Ali knew exactly what to do when Maurice became afraid and ran from the power of Raymond Ballentyne.
Raymond got the ball at the half line; there was no Stars defender in sight. It was Ballie in full control of the ball, moving at full speed ahead, Ali still in the goal, desperately shouting orders trying to get help from his defenders, but they were too far away from the play to slow down or to provide any type of interception to Raymond steady advances; Ali was on his own.
By this time the entire stadium was on its feet, you could felt the tension of the superstars fans, as their hopes of a victory evaporate right before their eyes. Some hopelessly put their hands on their heads; as their facial expression melted from optimism and disappear into disappointment; while others bit their lips hoping, what they were looking at was not happening; while still others stood, with open mouth, slightly bend at the knees, with hands in the goalkeepers defensive position trying to miraculously will Ali into some unperformed action. They all watched helplessly concerned about losing the game while others were concerned about Ali's safety.
Superstars were a top, first division team, on the island. On the other side there was Raymond "Ballie" Ballantyne. Ballie was a short fair skinned young man, from the popular sporting family the Ballantynes. He also played on the St. Vincent and the Grenadines national football team and was a key player in the famous 1979 Soccer squad.
Raymond had a pair of big, well-developed thighs, which were pack with power. Bally was capable of taking a spot kick, from the penalty spot, and send that ball flying into the penalty area on the other side of the football field; Raymond was a powerful freak of nature. He played the full-stopper (defender) position on the national team and for the first division team Frenches, which he also led.
A week before; Frenches played one of the bottom teams, for which a young Mouth-Champ, called Maurice was the Goalkeeper. Raymond Ballantyne, the full stopper broke through the team's defense; which left an encounter with him and Maurice.
Maurice, understood the type of Striking power Raymond possessed and did not want none of it. Instead of defending his goal, as is his responsibility; Maurice ran out of the goal and left, the gold to Raymond. Raymond had the opportunity, to just place the ball gently into the empty net, but instead; he struck that soccer ball so hard, it broke the net and went flying into the foreground, in front of the Player provilian at the Victoria Park in Kingstown.
When Raymond, Kicked that ball with such velocity, it was a part of his strategy. Bally was a player, who knew and understood his strength, he wanted the big name goalkeepers to know, I am the monster that goes roar in the night when you sleep. You truly don't want none of this.
Alwyn "Ali" Monroe was in the Western Stand where the soccer fans from Bottom Town congregated, when at a soccer match. Ali being a season and well rounded National Goal keeper, began to tell us what Maurice's mistakes were. Ali said if I was in that position I will not run. I will face Bally and eat the shot. I did not know what Ali meant when he said I will eat the shot.
Ali's utterance, was mighty big talk from a man sitting in the stand. In my mind I said Ali I love you and you are my favorite in a lot of things, but you were not in Maurice's position, you did not have to contend with the power of Raymond Ballantyne; with no defenders to help you. I did not want to believe Ali would have ran from Raymond as Maurice did, but as the old saying goes it is who in the kitchen, that feels the heat; and clearly Maurice did not want to feel the heat.
It was two or so weeks later, a Sunday afternoon; Victoria Park was packed to capacity with soccer fans from all over the country. All of the hardcore soccer fans came out to watch. Two football titans Superstars vs. Frenches was about to clashed. At this stage of the game, Superstars were defending the north goal, while Frenches had responsibility for defending the southern goal. In the same way it was when Maurice, forgot he was in a soccer match but took part in a one hundred Meters dash.
Super Stars was a different caliber team, then the one Maurice played for. I cannot remember the circumstances that lead to the particular play, that give birth to the memorable event that had stuck with me, all of my life; however, Bally caught the Superstars defenders napping, in Frenches half of the field and he broke through their defense.
It was happening again, it was the Maurice Saga happening all over again, however, there was only one difference. Maurice was not in the goal this time it was a Ali Monroe. Ali knew exactly what to do when Maurice became afraid and ran from the power of Raymond Ballentyne.
Raymond got the ball at the half line; there was no Stars defender in sight. It was Ballie in full control of the ball, moving at full speed ahead, Ali still in the goal, desperately shouting orders trying to get help from his defenders, but they were too far away from the play to slow down or to provide any type of interception to Raymond steady advances; Ali was on his own.
By this time the entire stadium was on its feet, you could felt the tension of the superstars fans, as their hopes of a victory evaporate right before their eyes. Some hopelessly put their hands on their heads; as their facial expression melted from optimism and disappear into disappointment; while others bit their lips hoping, what they were looking at was not happening; while still others stood, with open mouth, slightly bend at the knees, with hands in the goalkeepers defensive position trying to miraculously will Ali into some unperformed action. They all watched helplessly concerned about losing the game while others were concerned about Ali's safety.
The Frenches fans on the other hand, were in victory mode, as they jumped to their feet, in an eruption; as optimistic voices shouted deafeningly cheering Ballie on. Some overly ecstatic fans, ran along the side lines out of the view and out of the way of the officials, confident that their powerhouse Raymond Ballantine was going to leave a hole in the net that was at the back of the goal, designed to contain the ball that had made its way past the goalkeeper; or if the opposing goalie try to stop Raymond's shot, the ball will leave a hole in him.
It was not a matter of hoping, it was a matter of when he (Raymond) was going to capitalize on this opportunity to put Frenches team one goal up. In everyone's mind; it was a done deal.
Ali Monroe was like my big brother, he was always by us hanging out with my big brothers. Because of my closeness to Ali, I had a vested interest in Ali's success and his safety. I knew the danger that confronted my friend and big brother; because previous to this encounter, I have seen men on the ground rolling, whimpering and whaling in pain, like a kids, who had just received a good parental trashing; after they have had an inadvertent collision with a bull-wood (a ball kicked with tremendous power that moved with jet fast speed) from Raymond.
The raucous in the park was still momentarily, while everyone tensely awaits the outcome of this confrontation. Raymond was known for his frequent overlapping, and I have seen goalkeeper Dorian Philips comes to mind, briefly abandoned their goalkeeping responsibilities.
I have seen many Goalkeepers become so afraid when confronted by an overlapping Raymond Ballantyne, leaving the goal open for Raymond, to have his way, rather than to face the power that he possessed. You can hear the odd voice of prediction predicting he is going to run, Ali is going to run they said.
Running away from the approaching Raymond Ballantyne, out of fear of Ballantine's kicking power, would have made Ali a laughing stock and the butt of jokes for the rest of his life. There is always that one guy, who never forgets, and who thinks it is his only mission in life, to make sure you never forget a bad or negative incident that made you look weak, or stupid.
Raymond was still quickly advancing, and there were still no superstars’ defenders in sight. Just then, I saw Ali began to run out to meet the quickly advancing Raymond Ballantyne. Ali"s movements forward to meet Bally reduced the visibility and striking option to the goal that Bally had. Ali followed the same defensive technique, he spoke of when Maurice ran a few weeks earlier.
This was a move of experience; As he said a few weeks earlier; If Ali had stayed in the gold, it would have been impossible for him or any other goal keeper to stop a shot coming to the goal from the powerhouse Raymond Ballantine. Not even if that goal keeper flew, full length, out stretched in midair at the ball.
With the power Raymond Ballantyne possess; that ball would have made its way pass the goalkeeper before he could have reacted it. Ali’s decision took a way most of Raymond’s options, it also hamper Raymond ability to properly attack the goal. The added pressure also increased Raymond's chances of error and therefore, gave Ali a good opportunity to make a save if the ball was kicked. But who is going to risk injuries in confronting the power of Raymond to prevent him from scoring a goal.
By this time; Ali and Raymond were about 15 feet apart Ali had stopped his advancement, and somewhat reduce Ballies’ speed and progress. This gave the superstars defends and midfielders a little more time to get back on defense, but by this time most of Ali team mates had lose hope and had retired to the fact that there was nothing they could do. There were two guys that were making a futile but desperate effort to get back on defense.
Raymond Ballantyne realizing the quickly changing situation decided he was going to strike while the iron was hot. It was time for the show down and the two titans were just outside the 80 years box. Raymond Ballantyne struck the ball, with so much force you could hear his foot colliding with the ball. The sound was so loud, it echoing around the entire park.
One would have thought that the police were on parade and had fired a round from the old British 303 rifle. The ball was traveling at high speed, straight and at about three feet off of the ground; much like a torpedo would. Everyone including the man at the other end of the quickly moving missile knew there was no way to put hands to the quickly moving missile that may have had a nuclear warhead attached.
This was serious business and as far as I can see, Ali Monroe had but one option, that was to get out of the way of the oncoming rocket, after all it was only a game, no one was being paid if they win the match, the special efforts were not going to be rewarded, there was no victory parade for the winners, it was not even a finals or a qualifying game; and he was not going to get the key to the city for being a hero and risking injury to win the game.
This boiled down to pride, bragging rights, a compliment from some one that you may never see again; the accolade of friends nothing else. There is also a respect for the game and healthy competition.
The missile was on its way and Ali was yet to make a decision, it seems like time froze only for a moment, and when time restarted, it went into slow motions.
I was standing in the grandstand lost in the moment, when I saw Ali dropped to his knees, as if he was about to call upon God in prayer to send help or to take him out of the predicament in which he had found himself.
But now, it was much too late for praying. As soon as Ali's knees collided with the ground Ali pulled his head back and turned his face to the left, as he braced his body to observed the oncoming and expected blow, he was about to received. Like Superman Ali stopped the incoming missile with his chest saving his team, and his reputation.
The collision of the ball to Ali's chest was even louder that when Raymond foot make contact with the ball sending the ball at high-speed ahead of him. The collision of the ball onto Ali Monroe’s chest sounded like the burst of a cannon gun. This was so because the impact surface of the oncoming missile to Ali Monroe’s chest had a much greater contact surface than the surface of Ballies’ foot to the ball.
The spectators waited to see if Ali was going to fall off of his knees from the impact of the collision of the missile to his chest. But instead of falling to the ground rolling in pain, he sprang to his feet, without using his hands, now crouching and alert with both hands in front of him, in ready defensive position; Ali was immediately ready for any further attack that maybe oncoming. The ball after ricocheting off the chest of Ali went over Ballys' head and fell about 15 feet behind him. By this time the Superstars’ defenders were back in position and the game continued.
I have never seen such a drama packed minutes in any sport before that event before that time or after that event. I was blessed to have witnessed what happened when the unstoppable force meets the immovable objects.
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