Adrian Frater, News Editor

Top goalscorer and Most Valuable Player, Philmore Thompson (left), accepts a trophy from Dave Brown, the chief executive officer of Spoon Auto Supply (right). At centre is Craig Oates, chairman of the Spoon Auto Supply/Steve Bucknor Western Masters Football League. - Photo by Adrian Frater

Hanover Masters gained their sixth consecutive hold on the coveted Steve Bucknor Trophy, symbol of supremacy in the Spoon Auto Supply/Steve Bucknor Western Masters Football League, on Wednesday, when they defeated Violet Tourers 2-0 in the 2007 finals at the UDC playing field in Montego Bay.

In a game in which the champions managed to nullify the attacking power of former national midfield star, Theodore 'Tappa' Whitmore, and former national teammate, Norman Foster, the prolific Philmore Thompson emerged the outstanding player, scoring a goal in each half to keep Hanover's reign as champions intact.

"It was just a case of us going out there and doing what we have been doing for the past six years," said Hanover's veteran defender Conrod Hosang, who has played on all six championship-winning teams. "Winning is now second nature to us and we are really enjoying it."

The game, which saw Hanover defending both their coveted title as well as a 100-per-cent-win record this season, started with Violet Tourers testing Hanover's defence through the speedy Foster. However, with Hosang rock solid in defence, all of the attacks came to nothing.

Race for the top goalscorer

With time running out in the half, the wily Thompson, who entered the game trailing Foster by one goal in the race for the top goalscorer award, fired Hanover into the lead in the 39th minute. After winning control before the goal, he fired past goalkeeper Warren Barrett, taking his season tally to 14 goals and giving his team a 1-0 lead.

In the second half, Hanover went into over-drive piling up non-stop pressure on the Leroy Foster-led Violet Tourers defence, which held on gamely to prevent them from adding to their first half tally. In fact, for the most part, Violet Tourers' attacks were limited to counter-attacks.

With the final whistle approa-ching, Thompson made sure that he would walk away with the leading goalscorer title when he broke free before the goal in the 80th minute and fired home, making the final score 2-0.

In the presentation ceremony that followed, the awardees were:

The Steve Bucknor Trophy - Hanover Masters

Best Midfielder - Phillip Wong (Hanover Masters)

Best Goalkeeper - Warren Barrett (Violet Tourers)

Best Defender - Leroy Foster (Violet Tourers)

Top Goalscorer - Philmore Thompson (Hanover Masters)

Most Valuable Player (MVP) - Philmore Thompson

Best Disciplined Team - Infernal