By Joe Chapman

THREE unanswered second-half goals by Topp XX saw them to an enterprising 3-0 win over Kwakwani Strikers, but controversy brought an abrupt end to the second game in this year’s opening night of the 5th edition of the Upper Demerara Football Association’s GT Beer year-end football at the Mackenzie Sports Club ground, Sunday night.

Fist cuffs marred a feisty clash with about five minutes left in the game, featuring Eagles United who were leading Hi Stars 1-0, courtesy of a dubious foul in the box, The first game followed the March Past of the nine clubs contesting this year’s championship, after three-time winners Haynes Winners Connection were withdrawn from the competition after being included in the Guyana Football Federation’s Top16 tournament which kicks off on Friday in Linden.

The first half of the game between Kwakwani Strikers and Topp XX began well with Topp XX on a positive note. In the opening five minutes they were able to gain two half-chances, one from a chip cross which was sent outside of the goal and another which saw the Kwakwani side’s goalkeeper holding after a corner was won by the Topp XX side.
In the 27th minute a Kwakwani player was able to collect the ball but with the defender closely marking he was unable to control a right-foot shot that went wide. Topp XX got two openings in the final two minutes of the game but still the scores remained nil-all at lemon-time.

As the game resumed Topp XX asserted themselves well and gained some momentum, which saw them take the lead in the 49th minute. Under pressure the Strikers goalkeeper was unable to collect a square ball from Topp XX’s Andre Meyers cleanly as the ball slipped through his grasp.

Topp XX’s second goal was created through Duquan Hercules as he raced down the left flank to cross to the top of the 18-yard box where Travis Waterton collected and with a single motion gave the Kwakwani goalkeeper no chance, for a Topp XX 2-0 advantage in the 63rd minute.

Still in control against a game Kwakani unit Topp XX secured their third goal. This time the promising Hercules cut in from the left wing and after beating two defenders was heading goal-wards inside the box where he was brought down. Ryan Noel took the resultant penalty to score in the 78th minute and Topp XX eventually triumphed by a 3-0 score-line in their Group A match.

The second game saw the Eagles United team being held at bay from a spirited young Hi Stars team who matched their opponents with some brave match-ups early in the game.
The first half was somewhat closely contested. In the second session in the 50th minute, Eagles United’s Kellon Primo went deep inside right and in trying to pierce inside the 18 yards box, his marker kept his watch as they shouldered each other.

As Primo targeted inside, the assistant referee raised her flag which suggested a foul being committed by his defender. Referee Shavin Green pointed to the penalty spot and Trenton Lashley made no mistake to send his side into a 1-0 lead.
Thereafter things intensified with aggressive play on both ends of the field and this ended up with players bringing the game into disrepute.

The match officials then decided to abandon the game with just about five minutes remaining and Eagles United ahead, 1-0, as fans witnessed the sudden clash of fists on the field between opposing players.
Guyana’s Refereeing Council head Stanley Lancaster who was present commented that an informed ruling on the state of the game would be made after the Referee’s Report is obtained from referee Shavin Green.

Tomorrow two more matches will be played at 19:00hrs when Blueberry Hill and Amelia’s Ward Panthers clash. At 21:00hrs Topp XX will again be in action when they face reigning champions Silver Shattas.