Latest update November 26th, 2024 1:00 AM
East Coast teams booted out of K&S tourney
Action in the Sunburst Camptown/Buxton United match on Friday evening at the Enmore Community Centre ground. (Franklin Wilson photo)
Sunburst Camptown hammer Buxton
5-0, Riddim Squad edge Ann’s Grove 2-1
East Demerara teams have become the latest teams to walk the plank when rivalry in the 20th edition of the Kashif and Shanghai tournament continued on Friday evening at the Enmore Community Centre ground, East Coast Demerara.
On a beautiful and windy evening at the East Coast venue, the large home crowd did not have much to cheer about as both their teams were sent packing. Sunburst Camptown who were reduced to 10 in the 42nd minute when striker Norris Carter was red carded for violent conduct (striking an opponent) shrugged off his loss to hammer Buxton United 5-0, while Riddim Squad rallied to edge Ann’s Grove by the odd goal in three.
Prior to the game it was felt that Buxton United, defending East Demerara division-one champions, were going to give Camptown a run for their money but as it turned out, the Campbellville based team dominated their opponents.
Young and exciting forward Telson McKinnon became the first player to net a hat-trick in this year’s tournament as Camptown also recorded the largest margin of victory to date.
McKinnon, a former junior national sprint champion scored all three second half goals as he rocked the back of the nets in the 51st, 63rd and 61st minute. Chris Camacho opened the scoring in the 6th minute while Lance Rolston netted with 5 minutes to the half time whistle with a well calculated shot that caught the Buxton custodian by surprise.
The win for Camptown, who won the K&S Championship in 1993/1994 and 2003/2004, saw them easing into the quarter-finals to join defending champions Pele and Fruta Conquerors as the other teams who have advanced this far to date.
They will face the winner of the Riddim Squad/Rosignol United clash on Christmas Day at the National Stadium, Providence. Riddim Squad, Western Union division-one champions in the city, jumped into the group-of-16 stage following their 2-1 triumph over Ann’s Grove on Friday afternoon at the same venue.
Goals in the 59th and 66th minute by Sheldon and Steffon Hope respectively, secured their win. Ann’s Grove FC managed to pull one back through a 79th minute effort via a free kick by Rawle ‘Bony man’ Gittens but it was too little too late.
The score-line should have read differently but both teams were guilty of several tactical blunders that made it appear as though each was trying their best to outdo the other in this department.
The action started at a heated pace with the Riddim Squad pressing forward but the eventual shot was sprayed wide of the upright.
Indeed, the Riddim Squad players attempted to justify their entrance into the nation’s premiere football tournament with several spirited charges to the opposition’s goal. They were met by staunch resistance from the Ann’s Grove who themselves were moving the ball around.
Despite spirited efforts by both teams, characterized by glaring blunders, also from players of both teams, the first half ended nil all.
Whatever instructions they received during the break, the Riddim Squad players entered the second half re-energized and 19 minutes on Sheldon Hope slammed in the first success for his team.
He should have improved his tally shortly afterwards when the referee awarded his team a penalty after the opposition handled the ball within the box. Drama followed as Ann’s Grove custodian Elton Adams left the area citing illness. His replacement, Travis Allen took his time positioning himself between the uprights and shortly afterwards effected a most magnificent save. His efforts dwindled to naught when the ball rebounded into play for Steffon Hope to convert.
Riddim Squad would be in action again tonight against Rosignol United in the feature game at Blairmont Community Centre ground, West Coast Berbice when the tournament continues.
This match-up would be preceded by a clash between Victoria Kings and New Amsterdam United with the first game of the afternoon from 16:00hrs between Guyana’s USA and local based female teams.
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