STAG Nations Cup KO Football…Police and Riddim Squad complete all City semi final cast

Jan 27, 2017 Sports

The Guyana Police Force (GPF) and the East Bank based Riddim Squad recorded 3-0

Kevin Agard (right) and Kevin Gordon – Riddim Squad FC

and 2-1 wins over East Bank’s Grove Hi Tech and West Demerara’s Den Amstel to complete an all City semi final line-up when quarter final play was completed in the Stag Nations Cup knock-out football championship on Wednesday night last at the Tucville ground.
The fit GPF side was aggressive and potent enough in the first half when all three goals were scored against Grove Hi Tech to knock out the two-time defending champions, their first defeat in the three year history of the championship which attracted three associations in the first two editions.
Despite being reduced to 9-players owing to two red cards which were issued to Trevor Jones in the 43rd minute and Delroy Dodson in the 81st minute, Grove was not able to breach the Police’ defence as they were arrested and locked away from penetrating the attacking third in the second half.
The speed and robust play of the GPF in the opening half put away for good the ambitions of Grove even though they looked a more potent unit in the second half. Attio Wallce who scored a double for the lawmen opened proceedings with a well directed header with only seven (7) minutes on the game clock.
The Police side, one of the favourites to win the championship made their speed work for them as they nullified the East Bank champions which looked ragged in the first half of the match. By the 21st minute, the advantage was doubled when Kester Dundas capitalised on poor work by custodian Seon Simpson to nail their second goal.
It was also poor judgment on the part of Simpson that accounted for the opening goal even

Attio Wallace (left) and Kester Dundas – Guyana Police Force FC

as the defenders looked out of sorts. The police side showed admirable superiority in the area of fitness which brought the downfall of Grove.
The third and final goal was scored with two minutes to the half time whistle, Wallace again stepping between the defenders to hammer home. It was before the ball was restarted after the goal that Jones was red carded for allegedly using foul language to one of his colleagues which the assistant referee overheard; summoned the standing referee who then issued marching orders to Jones even as his captain and fellow colleagues protested.
The second half of the match saw a more solid performance from Grove which threatened to reduce the scoreline on numerous occasions but lacked the killer instinct in front of goal. Three changes were rung by the Grove Coach within a 10 minute period, it produced better play for his side but not goals as the Police side found it difficult to contain their opponents let alone score but they had already done the hard work in the first half.
As the minutes ticked away, the game became more physical and resulted in Grove losing their second player, Delroy Dodson with 9 minutes to full time. He was seen having an intense exchange of words with the referee who had initially issued him a yellow which was swiftly followed by another within seconds.
Grove fought hard but just could not stand in the way of the GPF from securing a date with fellow city side Western Tigers in the second semi final on Sunday evening at the GFC ground.
The first semi will pit Santos and Riddim Squad which edged Den Amstel in a closely fought opening match on Wednesday night. It was an almost even encounter between the sides up to the point of Riddm Squad taking the lead in the 19th minute thanks to a long range shot off the boot of Kevin Agard.
It was an even game on 32 minutes when Den Amstel’s Kevaughn Ward rocketed his shot past Riddim Squad’s goalie and Captain; it was a scorching response that evened the score. Neither side relented, in the end to end exchanges.
Just when it seemed like the game was headed to extra time as neither side allowed the other in close proximity to goal, another long range shot ended Den Amstel’s hope of advancing further. This time it was off the boot of the busy Kevin Gordon in the 82nd minute.
It was well disguised and calculated shot that beat Ward all ends up and set to not only secure the win but to set up a potentially mouth watering semi final clash with Santos on Sunday afternoon at the GFC ground.