A draw would have been sufficient, but FC Santa Rosa copped its first ever league crown with a 2-1 victory over closest challenger Valtrin in the Emerald Apartments and Plaza Eastern Football Association (EFA) Premier Division at the NUGFW, Valsayn on Saturday.
Well worked goals from forward Kerry Frederick and Shabaka Mahluli for Santa Rosa in either half and Valtrin’s deflected item separated the two teams over the course of the match.
Santa Rosa, which is more recognized for its youth teams won its first major senior trophy after forming its men’s team back in 2010, when it gained promotion from the First Division to the Premier Division in just one season.
The new Eastern champions went into its final match with 37 points from 17 matches, two points better than Valtrin, needing only a point to secure the title and a place in the “Champions of Champions” tournament, of which determines the teams which advances to the National Super League.
Santa Rosa, the final team to advance to the Champions of Champions joins St Clair Coaching School (TFA), Petit Valley United (NFA), Siparia Spurs (SFA), Biche United (Eastern Counties) and Harlem Strikers (CFA) in the tournament which is set to kick off in March.