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Petra Organisation / GT Beer Futsal Competition…Back Circle destruction of top teams continue
– set up dream final with Sparta Boss
Back Circle continued their destruction of the top teams in this year’s Petra Organisation / GT Beer Futsal Competition with defending champion Bent Street being the latest victim after suffering a 3-1 defeat in semi-final action on Saturday night, at the National Gymnasium.
Bent Street’s Colin Nelson (with ball) leaves a defender sprawling during their clash on Saturday night.
The win follows that of a victory over another pre-tournament favourite Sparta Boss which occurred in the early stages of the competition and now puts them in the driver’s seat to cart off the title.
In the other semi-final, Sparta Boss, losers in the final of the inaugural competition looked in excellent form during their 4-1 drubbing of Sophia and may very well be keenly interested in seeking revenge in the final against Back Circle.
Played before another packed house, the first semi-final got off to a frantic start with Bent Street immediately on the offensive and seeking psychological advantage and took the lead in the 3rd minute when the dreadlocked Konata Manning uncorked a screamer that blew past defenders and goalkeeper to settle in the back of the net.
Undaunted by the early setback, the youthful Back Circle team remained resolute in their quest for the equalizer and got it in the 13th minute when Jermaine Beckles fired past the keeper to send the arena into frenzy.
For the remainder of the half, both teams failed to get on the score-sheet and it was left to the final period to decide a winner.
Coming out after the break, both teams had opportunities to take the lead, but errant shooting erased those chances.
Urged on by their large band of supporters, Back Circle once again demonstrated that they are not fazed by big names and took the lead for the first time in the game in the 27th minute through Selwyn Williams, who beat the goalkeeper to his right.
Despite their ascendancy, Back Circle continued to push forward, unsettling the usually calm Bent Street unit and eventually put the game beyond reach when the consistent Akeemo Anthony placed his name on the score-sheet two minutes from full time and held that advantage until the final whistle sounded.
In the feature game, Sparta Boss showed that they were in a no nonsense mood after just ten seconds when Gregory Richardson fired past the goalkeeper to provide an early cushion for his team.
Sophia equalised in fortuitous fashion when a back pass to the goalkeeper, who attempted to clear the ball hit a defender and rebounded back into the goal.
It occurred in the 3rd minute of play.
Eusi Phillips’ 12th minute strike from the right side was further evidence of Sparta’s intention not to entertain pretenders and they went to the break with a 2-1 lead.
One minute after the resumption, Richardson was back in the fray when he weaved past one defender, before hitting past the keeper.
The deal was sealed when the lanky Cleon Forrester collected a pass from the back and hit a fierce shot into the back of the net in the 39th minute to make it 4-1.
Shortly after, the whistle sounded to confirm a dream final with Back Circle.
Bent Street and Sophia will square off in the third place playoff.
The final is set for April 15, at the same venue.
In the night’s full results:
Game-1
Bent Street-1 vs Back Circle-3
Back Circle Scorers
Jermaine Beckles-13th
Selwyn William-27th
Akeemo Anthony-38th
Bent Street Scorer
Konata Manning-3rd
Game-2
Sparta Boss-4 vs Sophia-1
Sparta Scorers
Gregory Richardson-10 seconds and 21st
Eusi Phillips-12th
Cleon Forester-39th
Sophia Scorer
Own Goal-3rd
Exhibition Matches
Game-1
Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI)-4 vs Guyana Power and Light (GPL)-5
Game-2
Pretty Posse Taxi-1 vs Green Ice Taxi-1
Game-3
Customs-5 vs Republic Bank-2
Game-4
Referees-4 vs Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA)-3
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