Latest update January 6th, 2025 4:00 AM
Bartica All Stars and Agatash All Stars prevail in one night contest Competitive senior football returned to Bartica
Goshen Captain, Andrew Simmons receives the winning trophy from Bartica Mayor Gifford Marshall in the presence of teammates.
By Franklin Wilson
Football fans in Bartica on Saturday night turned out in their numbers to support a one-night 4-team football card that saw the return of competitive senior football to the once football crazy region.
The efforts of Mayor Gifford Marshall, Sports Officer Mark Ambrose, Banks DIH and the fans combined for a memorable night that saw Bartica All Stars and Goshen All Stars emerging victorious in the two matches that were contested.
All Stars prevailed in a ding dong battle against Rivers View All Stars on sudden death kicks from the penalty mark after the two battled to a pulsating 3-3 tie at the end of regulation time. Agatash were 3-2 winners over Potaro All Stars in the first match of the night which set the tone for the main event.
These matches the main players are hoping will re-ignite the passion for the game in Bartica and by the turn out the organisers have agreed that the show of confidence by the players and fans is more that heartening.
They have also disclosed that they are willing to work with the Bartica Football Association (BFA). “We are committed to bring back this beautiful game with the support of the BFA.”
The organizers further pointed out that teams only played for trophies which further underscores the passion and desire to get back into the competitive mode.
“We are trying to get youth and senior games off every weekend. The fans really show how badly football is missed in our region,” One of the organisers opined.
The Police and Business Community in Bartica also came in for praise for their support for last Saturday night’s matches.
Mayor Gifford Marshall (standing 2nd left) and Sports Officer Mark Ambrose (3rd left) pose with members of the Bartica All Stars team and other officials following the presentation of the trophy on Saturday night.
Whitney Welcome netted all three goals for the Bartica All Stars which had looked like they were going to wrap up an easy win but a late surge by the Rivers View team almost saw them winning the war.
Omarieo Lake had handed Rovers View the lead in the 6th minute but Welcome drew Bartica level in the 25th minute. Welcome’s second and third goal in the 47th and 65th minute gave his team a comfortable two goal cushion but Rivers View never lost faith in their ability to be worthwhile opponents.
On 76 minutes, Shamar Blair blasted the nets to reduce the deficit for Rivers View and with two minutes to full time, Andel Norton fired in the neutralizing goal to the delight of their supporters.
It took sudden death kicks from the penalty mark to hand Bartica All Stars the win; after the first five kicks, the score was still tied after both teams had missed once.
In the first match, Andrew Simmons scored the opening goal in the match for Agatash in the 17th minute but Potaro responded in like manner 25 minutes on, thanks to the first of two for Casey Chesney.
Mario Pereira then restored the advantage for Agatash in the 44th minute and it then doubled when Elcio Oliverira converted in the 76th minute. Four minutes later, Potaro netted their second goal off the boot of Chesney.
Both sides continued the intense exchanges but were not able to penetrate the final third as the score remained the same, 3-2 in favour of Agatash.
Trophies were presented by Mayor Gifford Marshall in the presence of Sports Officer Ambrose.
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