Quarterfinal lineup complete; Topp XX bt. Caribbean Utd; Netrockers needle Milerock

Dec 25, 2010 Sports

---

The most successful team in the history of the Kashif and Shanghai tournament Bakewell Topp XX have moved a step closer in taking their 6th crown when they defeated Caribbean United 2-0 in extra time at the Mackenzie Sports Club Ground on Thursday night.
In the opening game of the final group-of-16 double header clash, Netrockers nipped their way past Linden’s number one team to seal their quarterfinal berth and a date with Alpha United tomorrow; Topp XX will come up against the Guyana Defence Force at the same venue tomorrow.
The Topp XX/Caribbean United clash proved to be an ordinary showdown but the former champs made their job very hard by missing chance after chance to the dismay of their fans and supporters.
It was not until the second period of extra time that they finally broke the deadlock, Kayode McKinnon in the 107th minute finally got it right. Eight minutes later, the deal was sealed as Kennard Simon found himself one on one with former Fruta Conquerors custodian Lebert ‘Pumpkin’ Stevenson and made no mistake in slotting the ball home.
McKinnon made things right when he turned between three defenders and with precision like finishing that was lacking all night, rocked the nets with a well placed left foot shot to seal Top XX’s second win in as many matches following their 2-1 over Ann’s Grove United.The Bakewell sponsored outfit was placed under early pressure with the loss of player/coach Collie Hercules who was forced to exit the game in the 36th minute due to a hamstring injury. That could very be his final game in this year’s competition.
The likes of Adrian Reid, Carl Cole, Omali Nassy who had a good game, Rawle Gittens, Terrence Lewis and Captain Chavez Hescott could not roll back the years to get past the pride of Linden despite having a few good moments.
Topp XX it was that made the job seem very difficult in putting away the Barbados based Caribbean United
.They {Topp XX}will have to surely work on their desire to finish in a more productive manner when they take on the solid looking Guyana Defence Force tomorrow evening.
Netrockers, following their 2-0 disposal of East Demerara’s Bakewell Buxton Stars, never allowed Milerock’ status as the number team in the Bauxite Mining Town to distract them from the job at hand.
With the respective team supporters taunting each other from the opening whistle, it was left to the players on the field to deliver and that, Netrockers did.

The battle started with Milerock, who incidentally were sent packing in their opening game of the previous tournament by East Banks’ Grove Hi Tec at the National stadium, taking the challenge to Netrockers and looked at ease and likely to take the lead.
But confident defending from Milerock and a great deal of patience in midfield as well produced the desired rewards.
The first half did not see any goals materializing but the more the minutes ticked away, Milerock became more and more concerned. The stifling defense they {Netrockers}employed and the discipline they displayed did the trick in the end along with assured goalkeeping by the young Odell Allicock.
Five minutes into the second half, a long ball from Captain Ray Fraser just over the half way line into the Milerock half found Matthew ‘Assassin’ Pollard in the area and his touch as he shadowed goalkeeper Clifton Halley was all that was needed for goal and as it turned out, the sealer.
It was a desperate situation for Milerock thereafter but Netrockers continued to keep their focus.
Many were the raids but Netrockers kept the opposition at bay backed up by some excellent goal keeping from Odell Allicock. Netrockers face their stiffest challenge yet when they match skills with Alpha United tomorrow. With home advantage in their favor and the expected fan support, an exciting game is anticipated.
Alpha on the other hand, featuring the likes of Anthony Abrams, Dwight Peters, Howard Lowe, Ronson Williams, Shawn Bishop, Kurlson Benjamin, Clayton De Lima and Claudio Da Silva will fancy their chances of moving a step closer to the attractive first place prize of 2 million dollars and 5 million worth of kit from Plus One Fashions over a two-year period. The respective winner’s tomorrow night will march into the semi finals set for Wednesday at the National Stadium, Providence.
The final two quarterfinal games are set for Monday at the Stadium and will feature defending champions BK International Western Tigers against Sunburst Camptown with Pele taking on Santos in the other game.
When Pele and Santos faced each other in the opening game of the 20th tournament at the same venue watched by the world’s Greatest Footballer, King Pele’, Pele took honours; this time around however, some of the players who donned Pele colours the last time are on the Santos roster which makes for an entertaining duel on Monday evening.
Fans won’t want to miss this potentially explosive double treat. Kick off time on both days is 18:00hrs.

---

---