GDF silence Pele, Camptown nail Santos to enter semis

Apr 03, 2009 Sports

Gavin Wilson

The Guyana Defense Force were in no mood to entertain the challenges of Pele as the Soldiers downed their rivals 2-0 in final quarter final match of the 2nd annual Banks Premium Beer Cup at the Tucville ground on Wednesday evening.
Friday’s opening game saw Sunburst Camptown having to pull out all the stops to turn back the fierce challenge of Santos 2-1 in extra time.
The GDF/Pele match up provided real excitement fro the fans as both teams were intent on stretching each other to the limit.

Warren Gilkes

The fact that the first goal was scored way into the second half underlines the intensity of the match up. But it was the Army, more mentally prepared to deal with the rigors of the assignment that broke the deadlock.
Energetic and skillful striker Warren Gilkes pounced on a cross from overlapping defender Sheik Kamal to head it past goal keeper Shemroy Arthur who for a moment it had seemed, had the ball under control. But the quick thinking and speediness of Gilkes resulted in a well executed effort.
Thereafter, the Soldiers began to tighten the screws on a Pele side that enjoyed a long run of success, claiming the Kashif and Shanghai as well as the Mayors Cup championships.
The deal was sealed beyond any doubt with 3 minutes to full time when second half substitute Gavin Wilson finished clinically. Another defender orchestrated the goal, this time it was a Selwyn Isaacs cross that was squared by Stellon David for Wilson to finish.
The opening encounter was also a tight affair between Camptown and Santos. Kwame La Fleur netted for Camptown in the 61st minute but Chris Duggan brought Santos level with a well taken shot to the far post in the 77th minute.

Telson Mc Kinnon

The remaining minutes of regulation time did not produce a winner but extra time did when Telson Mc Kinnon blasted past custodian O’ Neal Heywood in the 5th minute (90+5). Mc Kinnon could have made it three but missed an easy chance soon after.
It was another night of entertaining football with the title of the best in the knock-out business in the city and bragging rights, at stake.
The semi final cast has now been set with Alpha throwing down the gauntlet to the Guyana GDF in what is expected to be a fierce battle while the clash of the juices will be renewed with Sunburst Camptown facing Fruta Conquerors.
The date for this exciting final four showdown will be decided when Alpha United returns from their Caribbean Football Union assignment in Haiti.