Another four teams sent packing as tournament intensifies

ANOTHER four teams were sent packing when the Georgetown Football Association/Banks Beer Knock-Out Tournament continued on Saturday and Sunday at two different venues.The multi-million dollar prize money tournament which started two Saturdays ago with 32 teams has now boiled down to 26 teams as Houston Stars, Grove Hi-Tech, Beacon and Silver Shattas have been sent packing to join Essequibo and Topp XX who both lost their opening match when the tournament got started at the Georgetown Football Club two Saturdays ago.
Essequibo were beaten 10-0 by defending champions, Sunburst Camptown, while Topp XX went down 0-1 to Pele.
Over the weekend, Houston Stars were humiliated by Guyana Football Federation’s (GFF) Premier League team, Santos, losing by a 10-1 margin on Sunday at the GFC ground, while at the same venue, Grove Hi-Tech were trashed 8-0 by their GFF Premier League counterparts and points leaders, Alpha `The Hammer’ United.
On Saturday, Milerock edged Beacon 1-0 at the Den Amstel ground, West Coast Demerara, and on the same day at the very venue, the home side, Den Amstel, edged Silver Shattas 3-2.
Michael Pedro was Santos’ leading goal scorer on Sunday, netting a treble with a ninth minute goal from the penalty spot and two field goals in the 41st and 89th minute.
He was supported by Ryan Seales who scored a double in the sixth and first minute (91st) of injury time, a double from Trevon Lewis in the 83rd and third minute (93rd) of injury time and one goal each from Adrian Adams (4th), Odel Williams (26th) and an own goal in the 15th minute.
Houston Stars’ lone goal came off the boot of Lawrence Murray in the 10th minute.
In the Alpha United versus Grove Hi-Tech game, Anthony `Awo’ Abrams netted a helmet-trick in the 6th, 17th, 25th and second the minute (92nd) of injury time. The latter goal coming from a penalty kick.
Gregory `Jackie Chan’ Richardson supported with a treble in the 74th, 81st and 82nd minute. His opening goal was scored from the penalty spot.
The other goal scorer was team captain Dwight Peters who found his target in the 15th minute.
Over at Den Amstel on Saturday last, Clarence Huggins scored a 61st minute goal to help his team, Milerock, advance to the next round and in the feature match that day, Delon Lanferman, Andre Hector and Trevon Bobb scored a goal each in the 11th, 57th and 70th minute respectively to see their team, Den Amstel, advance to the next round.
Scoring for Silver Shattas were Colwyn David and John Waldron in the 15th and 31st minute respectively.
The tournament will continue tomorrow with a double header at the GFC ground.

In the opening game from 18:00 hrs, GFF Premier League second place points leaders, Guyana Defence Force, will come up against Botofago , while from 20:00hrs, Riddim Squad face Mahaica Determinators.
The winner of the tournament will take home $4M, while the runner up will receive $2.5M.
The third and fourth placed teams will be rewarded with $1.5M and $1M respectively, while the eight quarter finalists will receive $250,000 each.

(By Michael DaSilva)