Mayor’s Cup football championship...Camptown FC stage miraculous comeback; Fruta Conquerors swamp Mahaica FC

Mayor’s Cup football championship…Camptown FC stage miraculous comeback; Fruta Conquerors swamp Mahaica FC

Mar 22, 2013 Sports

Camptown Football Club were required to dig deep and called on all of their resources to eke out a 2-1 victory over Golden Grove FC when action in the Mayor’s Cup football championship continued at the Georgetown Football Club ground, Wednesday evening last. Fruta Conqueror’s FC also lived up to expectations and swamped Mahaica FC 5-0 to stamp its dominance and move on to the next round.

Camptown’s marksmen from left, Telson McClennon and Devon Forde revel in their team’s victory.

Golden Grove FC started as the underdogs but exhibited staunch determination from the very first whistle. The exchanges were crisp and Camptown, with such stars as Reshawn Sandiford, Devon Forde and Telson McClennon, were hard pressed to keep them in check. The early dominance of the boys from Golden Grove was further underlined when Rollex Glasgow weaved his way from way past the halfway line and past the opposition’s defence. He then had to contend with Camptown’s goalie but he adroitly dribbled past him and gently tapped in the ball in the 25th minute.
The intense battle continued with both teams enjoying marvelous moments but Golden Grove fought furiously to retain their lead. Telson McClennon almost changed the dynamics for Camptown when he sprinted from deep into his half in a marvelous solo run that looked like sure goal; his advances were checked just near the goal mouth as Golden Grove defence refused to say die.
Desperate to bring the situation back to equilibrium, McClennon featured again less than five minutes later when he dribbled to the opposition’s goal but what looked like an excellent chance for the equalizer fizzed like a damp squid after Golden Grove goalie scooped up the ball.
Keville Frank then launched an attack as Camptown players upped the pressure but his shot, though fierce, slammed into the left goal post for the Golden Grove custodian to retrieve. Golden Grove tenaciously guarded their slim lead and went in at half time on the ascendency.
Camptown had a reputation to preserve and from all indications meant to preserve it; they attacked with venom, creating some marvelous opportunities but it was clear that their opponents were not prepared to lie down and die. The game became very competitive as first one side and then the other dominated the proceedings.
However, time, that important variable, was dwindling away yet the Golden Grove players refused to wilt; Keville Frank tried to equalize the situation once again after receiving a pass directly on his instep just outside the 50 yards box. He swiveled and shot the ball with force but rued his luck as the ball slammed into the left post.
The referee then ruled on two minutes added time. It was then that Devon Forde collected a pass and dribbled to Golden Grove’s goal and slammed home the equalizer. Less than ten seconds later, the whistle sounded sending the players into extra time. Camptown players then asserted themselves and when Telson McClennon was fed a pass shortly after the whistle into that session, he left no room for debate when he tucked in the decider.
The Conquerors team is still bristling after surrendering the just concluded Namilco championship and chose to take the spite from Mahaica FC. Travis Thornhill netted twice with support from Eon Alleyne, Pernell Shultz and Jamaal Greaves.
Activities continued last evening when Western Tigers clashed with GCC and Pele against Den Amstel. Tonight’s matches pit the skills of Santos FC against Seawall, while Alpha United take on Seawall. The action gets underway at 18:00hrs.