Latest update April 11th, 2025 9:20 AM
Santos FC, Rhythm Squad advance after decisive victories over their nemesis
GFA/Banks Beer Cup Football tournament
By Michael Benjamin
Santos FC turned in a determined performance to swamp Black Pearl FC 5-1 in the preliminary match
Teon Jones
of a double header that also saw Rhythm Squad FC advancing to the next round after defeating Houston Stars 3-1 in a thrilling duel. It was the resumption of the Guyana Football Association/Banks Beer Cup Football tournament at the Georgetown Football Club Ground last Sunday evening.
Dwayne McLennan registered a brace in the 15th and 38th minutes for Santos with Josh Parvattan tucking in his contribution in the 28th minute. Travis Cotton further solidified his team’s position with a stinger in the 60th minute, while other second half goals came off the boots of Travis Fitzpatrick (74) and Ryan Hackett (77). Glendon Gilkes pulled back a consolation goal for Black Pearl in the 68th minute in what really was an inconsequential effort.
McLennan carried the pace in the early stages of the Santos/ Black Pearl match but his first try at the opposition’s goal, a sharp right foot shot from the left flank, was spectacularly saved by the opposition’s custodian, Andrew ‘Docker’ Bright. The determined McLennan sent in another fierce shot and once again ‘Docker’ called on his vast experience and held on to a stinger. McLennan was not to be denied and his first success pasted the opposition’s ‘keeper’ despite his most valiant effort to intercept the ball.
Parvattan tucked in his goal in between McClennan’s first and third, and it was delivered from an obtuse angle after dribbling past the defensive line.
As the match progressed it became more one sided with Santos aggressively advancing to the opposition’s goal and scoring with literal ease.
There was more to come even as the match entered its dying stages; Black Pearl’s striker, Glendon
Sceyon Hope
Gilkes then pulled one back after evading the opposition’s midfielders and strikers in an enterprising raid that marginally narrowed the score. Santos front man, Hackett then dampened the opposition’s hopes when he struck shortly afterwards with a vicious left foot kick that zipped past Bright long before he had moved.
The players then found themselves in a scrimmage at Santos’ goal mouth that threatened to narrow the score once again. The ball bounced around dangerously as the players from both teams attempted to get it in or out. Eventually, Santos’ custodian, Derwin Bennett, advanced and scoped up the ball, dimming Blackpearl’s hopes. The final whistle shortly afterwards truly turned off the switch.
Houston Star’s striker, Orandi Hamilton, sent in an ominous signal to the Rhythm Squad players just after the start of their encounter. His stiff right foot shot lashed into the goalie’s outstretched hands and back into play, bouncing from one player to the next, in close proximity of the goal. After several breathtaking seconds the Rhythm Squad (RS) defenders managed to clear the ball into the middle of the field. Sceyon Hope then opened RS account after receiving a free kick in the 18th minute.
RS second goal came after Teon Jones made the vital breakthrough in the 44th minute after much work in the outfield. He dribbled to the opposition’s goal and after evading the defenders had to contend with the advancing goalkeeper. The wily striker feigned his movement to the right, deceived the goalkeeper and lightly tapped the ball into the network.
Amos Ramsay should have scored shortly afterwards but the RS striker’s kick though powerful enough, lacked direction and the ball harmlessly slid down the side of the opposition’s goal.
Houston Star’s striker, Kevin Richards, reduced the deficit with a sharp shot in the 78th minute but Amos Ramsay ensured that his team advanced when he decisively sealed the deal with a wicket shot in the 88th minute to give his team a 3-1 victory.
Activities resume tomorrow night at the GDF Camp Ayangana Ground with a potentially exciting double header. In the first, Beacon take on Flamingo, while in the feature attraction Camptown will throw down the gauntlet on Northern Rangers. Action time is 18:00hrs.
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