Latest update December 23rd, 2024 3:40 AM
West Side All Stars & Squatters ‘The Gunners’ Utd into West Dem semis
By Franklin Wilson
Squatters ‘The Gunners’ United and West Side All Stars have booked the final two semifinals spots in the West Demerara zone of the GT&T FastBall knock-out football competition following some two high octane quarter final games yesterday at the Den Amstel Community Centre Ground.
The less fancied Jetty based Squatters ‘The Gunners’ United upstaged their more recognised opponents, home team Den Amstel erasing a one goal deficit to silence the home crowd. In the opening game West Side All Stars, who were down and facing defeat and with a little bit of luck on their side, squeezed out a blue ball goal in the penultimate minute of the game to book their place at the expense of Beavers.
West Side All Stars Zevon Atkinson (No. 7) eases the winning goal (blue ball) past Beavers the goalkeeper from a 6 second penalty in the 29th minute.
In the feature game, the home team Den Amstel came out all guns blazing against ‘The Gunners’ and blasted the nets in the first minute compliments of a powerful shot off the boot of Kean Ward whose shot sailed past the outstretched hands of the goalkeeper from the left side of the box.
But thereafter the Den Amstel team failed to maintain the energy and flair that took their opponents by storm in the opening minutes. Squatters ‘The Gunners’ United however kept their cool as the underdogs and gradually built confidence as they took the fight to their opponents.
Shawn Williams it was who pulled the Jetty based side back into contention in the 10th minute when his long range shot caught the Dem Amstel defense out of position.
Smart play by ‘The Gunners’ kept them in the game as they tactfully utilised the throw off rule to their advantage; it was the 26th minute that Den Amstel went past their quota of 4 throw offs and a 6 second penalty was awarded to ‘The Gunners’. Kevo Adams made no mistake as he faked goalie O’Neal Heywood before burying the ball into the back of the nets for what turned out to be the winning goal; a major upset in the tournament.
Squatters ‘The Gunners’ United will now meet West Side All Stars which had to battle hard to overcome a game Beavers in one of two semifinals set for Saturday at the Dem Amstel Ground.
West Side All Stars, based in Pouderoyen dominated neighbors Beavers for the most part but failed to bury all but one of the many chances they created.
They had to be rescued by the throw off rule at the death but this was after Maxwell Trapp secured the lead for Beavers in the 26th minute even through it was short lived. USA based former junior national Zevon Atkinson was tasked with the responsibility of taking the penalty in the 29th minute and he was able to beat the Beavers goalkeeper to his right to secure the win and a place in the semis.
The other semifinal will bring together West Demerara United and Uitvlugt Image on Saturday with the winners playing the final also on Saturday. A large crowd is anticipated for Saturday’s action which will kick off at 14:00hrs.
EAST COAST
At the Plaisance Ground yesterday afternoon, Vigilance United were too good for Mahaica Blue Rangers which lost 4-1; Ann’s Grove were too hot for Pepperoni Boys to handle as they were whipped 7-0.
Kevo Adams
A few miles away at the BV Community Centre Ground the goal party continued with Golden Stars B crushing Mahaicony All Stars 9-0. Randy Stoby scored in the 9th and 15th (blue ball); Kwesi Halley was on target in the 28th (blue ball); Randy Gardner (12) and Carlos Kingston in the 14th and 27th.
BV Triumph United’s B team needled Calcutta Bullets, Sean Daniels the player on target in the 21st minute.
GEORGETOWN
In the Capital City on Monday night, Lodge Vegas sacred Dear Tigers away from the City knocking them out 3-0, Dellon Legall netted a double (20, 24) and Nigel De Camp the other in the 12th minute.
Brave Heart sneaked into the next round following a blue ball goal in the 28th minute off the boot of Glenroy Griffith in response to Avacado Black Water which had taken the lead through Anthony Darlington in the 18th minute.
And Rasta Patriarch could not defend the goal they scored in the 12th minute through Leary Loncke. Customs FC clawed their way back to take victory and a place in the next round compliments of a Carlos Monkhouse blue ball goal on the stroke of half time.
Matches are set to continue today at the GFC, Plaisance, BV and Mackenzie Sports Club Grounds.
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