GUYANA’S national junior men’s hockey team got off to a slow start in their opening match of the Trinidad and Tobago’s Player Tournament hockey championships which got under way on Saturday in the Twin Island Republic.According to reports emanating out of Trinidad, Guyana suffered a 3-5 loss to Malvern in their opening game then rebounded to defeat Queen’s Park 2-1 later that evening.
Playing against Malvern Sports Club, the Guyanese struggled to adjust to the fast pace of the artificial turf and were given a masterclass in free flowing, high tempo hockey by a Malvern side which boasted five senior national players.
By the end of the first half the Guyanese found themselves down 0-3. After making some tactical adjustments at halftime Guyana firmed up their defence and scored one goal in the third quarter through a Keon McKenzie tomahawk shot.
The lead was then cut to one when Aroydy Branford latched onto a pass from captain Mark Sargeant and sent a diving reverse shot under the advancing goalkeeper.
Now within sight of tying up the score, Guyana employed a high press, but this tactic also left them vulnerable to counterattacks. Malvern went ahead 4-2 when a misdirected clearance from goalkeeper Medroy Scotland rebounded favourably to a Malvern forward who made no mistake with the finish.
Senior national Shaquille Daniels then put the Trinidadian side up 5-2, with a brilliant individual run which he finished powerfully past Scotland’s left post.
The Guyanese didn’t flinch and scored less than a minute later with a Paramanand Dindial tap in on the last post off a Branford shot that was going wide of the upright.
Although Guyana continued to press, the Malvern defence held strong and maintained the advantage to end 5-3 victors.
In their second match of the day against Queen’s Park, Guyana found themselves down early in the first quarter once again.
Despite creating several goal-scoring opportunities over the next two quarters the Guyanese forwards failed to convert. It was not until late in the fourth quarter that captain Mark Sargeant drew his side level with a spectacular dive to finish a Hilton Chester through pass.
The goal seemed to breathe new energy into the Guyana attack. Playmaker Branford weaved his way through three defenders then sent a powerful tomahawk shot towards the last post which was put in by Ato Greene.
Guyana then dropped to half-court and played solid defence to preserve their lead for the final five minutes.
On day two (Sunday), Guyana rested their captain Sargeant and midfielder Leon Bacchus for their match against the Under-21 training squad side.
Although completely dominating the match, Guyana continued their poor finishing but managed to keep a clean sheet and end up 2-0 victors compliments of a Branford double.