Latest update November 13th, 2024 1:00 AM
Apr 23, 2009 Sports
By Franklin Wilson
The spoils on the opening night of the 2nd annual Mackeson/Digicel Sweet 16 knockout competition were shared evenly between Georgetown and East Coast.
Springing a huge surprise though, was BV Triumph United who blasted one of the best teams in the city, Fruta Conquerors 4-1 in the feature clash. The Guyana Defence Force fared much better, brushing aside Mahaica Determinators 4-0 in the tournament’s opening game.
The championship got underway without the promised march past of teams but that did not rob the fans that turned out of some exciting ball play. The GDF like they did last year won their opening game in emphatic style and it was the second time unlucky for Conquerors who also walked the plank in their group of 16 clash going down to the GDF 4-1 in 2008.
Conquerors seemed to be out of sync on a night which saw heavy winds from the Atlantic blowing across the Plaisance Community Centre ground, BV using it to their advantage as Conquerors seemed not to even take note of same.
As it turned out, the East Coast team stamped their authority very early as their star forward Delroy Deen netted the first of his double 7 minutes into play. Veteran Conquerors defender Gerald Gritten made an error of judgment in allowing the natural left footer Deen, space to push the ball across the advancing goalie, Oswald Cornette deep in the attacking third.
Conditions were slightly heavy and the home team seemed better prepared and adaptable.
Their advantage was doubled in the 15th minute when Shawn Daniels got into the scoring act. Gritten was able to cut the lead by one on the stroke of half time, giving his team a chance to come out with all guns blazing in the second half.
That they did for the first 25 minutes of the half but were denied any goal leveling chances by airtight defending on a windy night by the BV team who defeated Uprising last year by the odd goal in 3 at this stage. Deen achieved his double with another excellent effort in the 76th minute and this goal broke the back of the challengers. To cap a commanding performance on the night, Rayon Hopkinson buried BV’s 4th goal with 8 minutes to game time putting the game way beyond Conquerors.
In the first game, the Soldiers were too good for Mahaica who, like Conquerors were sent packing 4-1 last year by Plaisance. Gavin Wilson was the man of the match finding form to blast a hat-trick, defender Royon Morrison netting the other. The GDF, coming off their loss to Sunburst Camptown in the final of the Banks Premium Beer tournament in the city, did not allow that disappointment to blur their quest for top honours in this competition. Last year they went all the way and were beaten by Camptown also, 2-0. Wilson was on target in the 6th, 68th and 81st minute and Morrison in the 71st.
After their initial strike, the Army fired regular shots at their target but stout defending by the Mahaica team delayed their onward march. But once they got going again, goals came at a rapid pace. Both the GDF and BV have earned a quarter-final date on April 30.
Day-two tonight
Defending champions Sunburst Camptown will go into offensive mode this evening in the first of another double header against Golden Stars. The exploits of the Camptown team has been well documented over the past months but coming up against the less popular Golden Stars outfit will be a keen test for them in tonight’s opening match up.
Buxton United, East Demerara Mackeson division-one champions will face off against Ann’s Grove in the feature encounter.
The Ann’s Grove unit will be remembered for their stunning 1-0 win over city side Santos in last years first round encounter.
This will be Buxton United’s first time in the competition and boasting a very young team with an average age of 20 will be aiming to make it all the way. Leading Buxton’s charge will be top striker, Clive Andries. Fans can expect two more exciting matches.
Kick off time is 18:00hrs.
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