Mierock astound host Intermoengotapoe 2-1; to face T&T’s Defense Force in Rd 2

Mar 21, 2011 Sports

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By Franklin Wilson
What can be described as a dream debut in the Caribbean Football Union’s Club Champions Cup, Milerock FC booked their place in the second round of competition following a convincing 2-1 win in their return game against Suriname’s Intermoengotapoe at the Andre Kamperveen Stadium on Saturday night.

Following their 0-1 loss to the Surinamese team in the first game on Sunday March 13 at the Mackenzie Sports Club Ground, the Linden based Milerock which finished as the runner-up team in the Guyana Football Federations National Super League, promised that they would be going for victory in the Dutch speaking country and that they did in fine style.
Leading the side to victory was veteran forward, who is also serving as the Assistant Coach of a young and inexperienced side, Collie ‘Hitman’ Hercules, who netted the opening goal five (5) minutes after the start.
Their second round passage was sealed when 2nd half substitute, Ryan Crandon (right-full-back) rocked the nets in the 75th minute on a rebound from a corner he headed home that was blocked by the goalkeeper.
Proceedings got underway with the visitors taking the attack to the home team as promised by Head Coach Brian Joseph prior to leaving Guyana. Within the first five minutes, Milerock signaled their intentions creating four opportunities as shots rained down on the home goalie, many going wide of the target. The ‘Hitman’ who has been able to keep fit over the years and despite him retiring from the National Team has been able to combine his vast knowledge of the game and on field skills, which still makes him a potent force up front.
He was the target of the Inter side at the MSC and that ploy did not change in Suriname but he stood up to lead from the front.
The opening goal was netted when Hercules received a through pass from Clive Nobrega and found himself one on one with the goalkeeper. Hercules made no mistake in nailing the shot to hand his side the lead.
Milerock continued to dominate proceedings for the next 15 minutes but the home team eventually came into their own shifting the balance their way in terms of dominating the action up until the half way mark.
Milerock, kept their eyes on victory despite losing grip slightly towards the end of the half. Head Coach Joseph said that he sought to keep his charges focused on their primary aim during the team talk at the break.
The re-energized lads {Milerock} came out all guns blazing in the second half and their first substitution was made in the 61st minute, Devon Dennis making way for Ryan Crandon. The battle intensified as Milerock sought their second goal while the Surinamese hunted the equaliser.
Milerock held possession more and favoured counterattacking and fast breaks during this half.
But it was the Guyanese who would have silenced the home fans even further. They won a corner in the 75th minute which Crandon headed home powerfully but it was blocked by the goalie.
Crandon had the presence of mind to pounce on the rebound which he hit past the custodian following a scrimmage in front of goal. His effort allowed the visitors to celebrate yet again while the home team and fans were left wondering what really went wrong. Thereafter they {Intermoengotapoe} stepped up the pace as they increased their forward runs but Milerock was content to hold the ball whenever they got possession.
Milerock were put under pressure in the 81st minute when Nobrega received a direct red card; a critical stage of the encounter.
All along, Hercules was the target of the opposition being tackled from behind on numerous occasions much to the disgust of his colleagues who felt that the referee was not stern as he should have been with the home players.
Nonetheless, the Guyanese absorbed the pressure and kept the focus as they kept their sights on the big prize, victory.
Hercules was eventually pulled from the game in the 90th minute; Owen Williams taking his place, five minutes earlier, Milerock’s second sub was made when Aswald Benjamin was replaced by Randy Jerome.
The home team was able to pull one back in the second minute of added on time but that was too late as shortly after, the final whistle was blown which meant victory for the visitors and a place in the second round by virtue of the away goals rule.
They will now face Defence Force of Trinidad and Tobago in their Second-Round tie which is also expected to be home and away.
Defence Force blanked Bermuda’s Dandy Town Boys 3-0 in their return game to win the rubber 4-1 on aggregate after a 1-1 tie in Bermuda one week earlier.
The other T&T club, Caledonia AIA also booked their second round slot following a huge 5-0 win over Newtown FC of St. Kitts & Nevis winning 6-0 on aggregate overall.
The other Guyanese Club, Alpha ‘The Hammer’ United which booked a second round place after their Antigua & Barbuda opponents pulled out will most likely face Puerto Rico’s River Plate in the next round following a 2-0 win for River Plate against Bodden Town of Cayman Islands. The second game of the first leg was scheduled for last evening.

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