DEFENDING champions Queen Street, Tiger Bay, were handed a shocking first round 2-0 defeat at the hands of West Back Road, when action in the 6th Annual Petra Organisation/ Banks DIH Guinness ‘Greatest of De Streets’ Futsal football competition continued at the Demerara Car Park last Sunday night.Heavy rains last week prevented the round from being contested at the Albouystown hard-court twice, forcing the organisers to not only postpone the matches, but shift it to the venue that was used for the opening night of action.
Goals from Akeem ‘Too Cute’ Fitzpatrick in the 9th and Jamal Haynes in the 13th minute of play respectively, were enough to hand West Back Road who was forced to play two qualifying matches before they entered the main draw, the shocking first round win.
The night’s action started with Globe Yard going past Adelaide Street, Charlestown -another qualifying team, 2-0 with Lionel Grimes (7th) and Kevin Lewis (13th) scoring for the winners, followed by Festival City’s 2-1 win over North Sophia, for which Daniel Favorite struck a brace in the 8th and 17th minutes, while Leron Jones responded for North Sophia in the 12th.
Leopold Street blanked Stevedore Housing Scheme 2-0 via a walk over before Dwayne Dickson (9th), Stephen Moore (22nd), an own goal (23rd) and Pierre Bobb (24th) were responsible for Hope Street – Tiger Bay’s 4-0 win over Durban Street.
After the Guinness break and West Back Road’s upsetting win, Randolph Wagner scored in the 4th minute to hand West Front Road a 1-0 win over Cross Street, even as Broad Street used penalty kicks to get past Riverview, winning 2-0 after a nil all draw.
The final match of the night’s eight games resulted in a 2-1 victory for Albouystown ‘B’ over South Sophia, with Marlon Nedd and Roy Cassou scoring for the victors in the 7th and 14th minutes of play, after Dwayne Lowe opened the scoring for South Sophia with his 6th minute goal.
Meanwhile, three nights of action commencing from tonight and running consecutively up to Thursday night, will be contested at the National Cultural Centre, as the organisers seek to make up for lost time, as 24 mouth watering contests will be played to whet the appetite of the fans who throng venues by the hundreds to witness the action.
Tonight’s first match will see North Ruimveldt facing West Back Road, Stevedore clashing with Sophia, Castillo Housing Scheme going head to head with Festival City Street Fighters and West Front Road meeting Charlestown, with all matches being played before the Guinness break.
After the break, Broad Street opposes South Ruimveldt, Albouystown ‘A’ and Durban Street do battle, Island All-Star clashes with Festival City Street Warriors and Sparta Boss go up against Bent Street to close off the night.
Tomorrow night’s action will beheld at the same venue and starts with North East La Penitence taking on Riverview, Sophia North facing East Front Road, Alexander Village and Cross Street will do battle before Adelaide Street Charlestown meets California Square.
Following the Guinness break, Albouystown ‘B’ will take on Leopold Street, Hope Street-Tiger Bay clashes with Laing Avenue, Globe Yard will look to defeat Back Circle and defending champions Queen Street-Tiger Bay will seek redemption against Tucville.

(By Calvin Roberts )