CULT / EBFA U-17 League...Agricola and Herstelling battle to 3-3 draw

CULT / EBFA U-17 League…Agricola and Herstelling battle to 3-3 draw

Jul 27, 2014 Sports

After a long break due to rain, football on the East Bank of Demerara made a welcome return yesterday with play in the CULT Under-17 league at the Grove Community Centre ground.

Herstelling’s Seon Alfred in control against Agricola Red Triangle.

The lone game of the afternoon produced a thrilling draw between Agricola Red Triangle and Herstelling. The opening game never materialized, Timehri Panthers who were down to face Kuru Kururu Warriors did not show up, handing the Warriors full points without breaking a sweat.
Both Agricola and Herstelling, featuring National Under-17 goalie Quazim Yusuf, just back from the Dominican Republic in their line-up started cautiously, but it was neighbors Agricola that eased into the lead with the game just four minutes old.
Nehemiah Gomes hit the ball past Yusuf which slowly hit the back of the nets. Herstelling though being the youngest club in the EBFA have shown great character ever since coming on the scene and again they stepped up to the plate.
Like he has done in the past at both the Under-17 and senior levels, forward Seon Alfred upped the ante for his team and was the difference between losing and winning for Herstelling. Alfred blasted in all three goals for his side, the equalizer coming in the 22nd minute, on an assist from Ricky Debidyal.
With five minutes to the break, Agricola retook the lead through an Owen June effort. Neither side relented on being offensive minded much to the delight of their supporters.
As the game progressed, it looked more and more likely that Agricola were going to walk away with full points but the nippy Alfred who posed problems for the Agricola defence constantly, had different ideas.
He drew his team level yet again in the 74th minute the end result of another fine effort. And for the first time in the game, Herstelling took the lead via the penalty route, Alfred again doing the honours in the 76th minute.
Sensing now that they were in with a good chance of taking full points coming back twice, the Herstelling lads turned up the heat but Agricola returned in like manner with the fans enjoying the end to end action.
With the game now 80 minutes old, Agricola were rewarded a penalty and they made no mistake in evening things up, Dakhamin Matthews burying the ball to the right of Yusuf to ensure that both teams share the spoils.
With the school season out, matches in this competition would be scheduled during the week.
Meanwhile, the Stag Beer senior League will resume today at the same venue with a double header. Diamond United will open against Timehri Panthers with the feature attraction which is anticipated to be a thriller, between Agricola Red Triangle and Grove Hi Tech.