FRUTA Conquerors, Camptown, Santos and Western Tigers yesterday advanced to the semi-final stage of the Frank Watson Memorial Under-15 football tournament with victories over Riddim Squad, Pele, Beacons and Black Pearl respectively.Playing at the Georgetown Football Club ground yesterday, Fruta Conquerors brushed aside Riddim Squad by a 3-0 margin, Camptown who at the end of regulation was 0-3 down against Pele, but they were able to secure their semi-final spot because Pele fielded an over age player in Leon Richardson who during the game scored a double in the 3rd and 11th minute. Beres Parkinson scored the other goal in the 21st minute.
It was after the game was over that it was discovered by the organisers that Richardson was over aged and the team was therefore subsequently disqualified.
In the other two quarter-final matches, Santos edged Beacons 1-0 to secure their semi-final berth, with the lone goal coming off the boot of Randy Roberts in the 15th minute from the penalty spot.
Western Tigers, a likely contender for the final beat Black Pearl 3-0 through a brace from Tyrese Haynes in the 5th and 15th minute and another from a Ronel Maxwell direct free kick in the 23rd minute.
The semi-final, third place play-off as well as the final of the competition which attracted 13 teams will be played on Saturday at the same venue, beginning at 11:00hrs.
Meanwhile, quarter-final action of the under-17 category of the knock-out tournament will be played today from 09:00hrs at the GFC ground also.
Fruta Conquerors will face Black Water, Pele will tackle Camptown, Beacon will face Santos and Western Tigers will come up against GFC.
According to John Yates, president of the Pele Football Club that organised the tournament in memory of Frank Watson, all the participants of the tournament which is being sponsored by the Pele Alumni, will each receive uniforms and school equipment.
(By Michael DaSilva)