Latest update April 18th, 2024 12:59 AM
Sep 04, 2015 Sports
It was high drama Wednesday night in two of three matches that were played in the inaugural GT Beer / Petra Organisation Futsal Competition, at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.
The most excitement was reserved for the West Front Road-Gold is Money and the up-started West Side’s Showstoppers clash that went right down to the final minute of the game, before the Georgetown-based unit prevailed 7-6 much to the delight of their fans and disappointment for their opponents.
It took a five-goal blitz in the final six minutes to salvage the fortunes of pre tournament favourites West Front Road that had performed way below par for twenty-four minutes, before star players Randolph Wagner and Hubert Pedro resurrected their chances of advancing.
The Bent Street versus North Ruimveldt clash produced thrilling finish and a similar scoreline as well with the former doing just enough to outlast their opponents. In the first game, West Back Road secured their spot in the knockout phase after benefitting from a walkover from Beterverwagting (BV).
The second fixture saw Sophia cement their place in the next phase after registering a thumping 10-4 triumph over Broad Street. Sheik Kamal warmed up for the next stage by firing in a treble in the 21st, 22nd and 25th minutes respectively.
Omallo Williams in the second and 16th minute, Desmond Cottam in the 17th and 20th minute, Shem Porter in the 18th and 28th minute recorded braces each. Joshua Kamal’s 15th minute strike completed their tally.
Rocky and Jimmy Gravesande, Kevin Cummings and Leon Richardson, all netted in the sixth, 13th, 19th and 22nd minutes respectively. In the Showstoppers versus West Front Road affair, the West Demerara side needed a win to advance and seemed well on their way to doing so after Anthony Sancho scored in the second minute.
West Front Road responded five minutes later through Wendell Pedro, who squeezed a cross from Hubert Pedro. Sancho then returned to regain the lead for Showstoppers after hitting a right-footer through the legs of the opposing goalkeeper in the 12th minute.
Hubert Pedro then leveled proceedings, unleashing a fierce shot from just inside his area that ended into the lower right hand corner. However, Showstoppers were not fazed by West Front Road’s stubborness as Sancho completed a hat-trick with a clinical finish for a 3-2 advantage, before Dexroy Adams’s goal gave them a handy 4-2 lead at the break.
However, the comeback begun in the 24th minute when Wagner booted in a pass from Pedro, but again Showstoppers responded this time through a Simon Emmanuel penalty two minutes later.
Wagner replied one minute later through a clever piece of skill, delivering a back heel through the legs of the advancing keeper.
Showstoppers finding themselves in new territory succumbed to the pressure and gave up a penalty after committing six fouls and Pedro easily converted. With the fans sensing a come from behind victory, the noise in the arena seemed to unnerve the West Demerara side and who else but Wagner was to take full advantage as he hammered in from close range in the 28th minute.
However, Showstoppers needing to dig deep in its nerves tank did just that as Lloyd Prince netted one minute before full time from a Sancho pass. But, West Front Road talisman Wagner sunk the hearts of Showstoppers supporters and players when he rifled in a thunderous shot seconds before the final whistle sounded for the win.
Two goals apiece from Stellon David in the 17th and 26th minute and Daniel Wilson in the ninth and 30th minute proved vital in Bent Street’s victory over a fiesty North Ruimveldt unit. Their efforts were supported by solitary strikes from O’Kenie Fraser, Colin Nelson and Sheldon Profitt, who netted in the second, 10th and 25th minute respectively.
The experienced Gerald Grittens led the way with goals in the fifth and 29th minutes, while Rickford Jones recorded a second half double in the 22nd and 28th minutes to go with Joshua Browne’s 16 seconds goal (fastest in the competition) and Colin Daniels 14th minute strike.
With the respective wins, the four teams now join the likes of Sparta Boss, Albouystown, Festival City and Kitty Weavers in the next phase which starts on Sunday.
The fixtures are as follows: West Front Road battles West Back Road, Sparta Boss go up against Kitty Weavers, Festival City square off with Albouystown and Bent Street opposes Sophia.
Up for grabs is $500,000 and trophy for the winning team, while the second, third and fourth place finishers take home $250,000, $125,000 and $75,000 respectively. National Milling Company (NAMILCO) and Trophy Stall are the other sponsors on board.
JAGDEO ADDING MORE DANGER TO GUYANA AND THE REGION
Apr 18, 2024
SportsMax – West Indies captain Hayley Matthews has been named Wisden’s leading Twenty20 Cricketer for 2023, as she topped all and sundry, including her male counterparts. Alan Gardner looks...Kaieteur News – Compliments of the Ministry of Education, our secondary school children are being treated to a stage... more
By Sir Ronald Sanders Waterfalls Magazine – On April 10, the Permanent Council of the Organization of American States... more
Freedom of speech is our core value at Kaieteur News. If the letter/e-mail you sent was not published, and you believe that its contents were not libellous, let us know, please contact us by phone or email.
Feel free to send us your comments and/or criticisms.
Contact: 624-6456; 225-8452; 225-8458; 225-8463; 225-8465; 225-8473 or 225-8491.
Or by Email: [email protected] / [email protected]