GDF soften Milerock 3-0 to nudge into the lead
THE Guyana Defence Force softened Linden champion club Milerock, relatively playing their home fixture at the Mackenzie Sports Club ground, by marching past the soldiers with a 3-0 shutout when the Guyana Football Federation’s (GFF) ‘Win With CONCACAF in CONCACAF’ Super League football tournament continued on  Sunday in the bauxite mining town. The home team were never up to the fitness level displayed by the soldiers who found the back of the net early to unsettle the mining town side.
It surprised many as Warren Gilkes was able to climb over the Milerock line of defence which stood square, motionless, as he headed home the first goal in the 12th minute.
From this early setback Milerock found themselves trying to match their opponents who were not only displaying a higher kevel of physical fitness, but were also executing a better brand of football which at times left Milerock finding it difficult to penetrate.
When the first half came to a close, the GDF had been more at home than Milerock who never found their rhythm.
Soon after play resumed Milerock’s goal keeper Michael rose found himself under pressure coming out and in trying to prevent an obvious scoring opportunity by the GDF forward who split the Milerock on a breakaway, was brought down. This act by Rose attracted marching orders by referee Stanley Lancaster in the 48th minute.
Milerock were without a substitute goalkeeper and Oswald Benjamin, playing out, was asked to take up his position in the citadel.
It was obvious then that Milerock had come short with no reserve goalkeeper on their bench and the GDF coach Marlon Washington must have realised this and soon the offensive forays by the army boys were coming down like rain.
This was to bring them dividends in the end as one such offensive move saw Hubert Pedro able to collect a short pass just on the edge of the 18 yards box where he planted a shot past a wrong-footed Benjamin in goal for a 2-0 lead by the GDF.
Five minutes later the GDF were again on parade when, from the left wing, the defender was able to dart through deep inside before he unleashed a shot which the goalkeeper failed to grab cleanly. And with two other GDF players right in the box, Peter Parks, one of them was able to pounce on the loose ball and slot it past a hopeless Benjamin in the 62nd minute.
The dominance of the GDF was evident to the end and while Milerock had a few chances to cut the lead they never did while the GDF could have ended the game with more than the actual score.
The GDF have taken the lead with this win even though they have played one more game than their closet rivals Alpha United, behind them by a point.