2010 Inter-Guiana Club Championships
… Geldar and Moengotapoe clash also drawn
HURRICANE Warren Gilkes probably played the match of his life, as the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) came from behind to eke out a draw with local powerhouse Alpha ‘The Hammer’ United when the second round of action in the 2010 Inter-Guiana Club Football Championship Cup (IGCFCC) continued at the GCC ground yesterday.
Entering the feature match as underdogs, GDF who drew their first encounter with Inter Moengotapoe, found themselves with their backs against the wall, as Anthony ‘Awo’ Abrams found the back of the net twice before lemon time.
But Gilkes, fellow strikers Stellon David, Peter Parks, Marlon Benjamin and Telson McKinnon, found renewed energy in the second half and were rewarded with Gilkes’ double strike in the 64th and 75th minutes respectively, to share the points.
In the first match of the day, Suriname’s Inter Moengotapoe who are the defending champions had to stave off a strong challenge from French Guiana’s Geldar de Kourou after scoring in the 33rd minute off the boot of Dima Steven.
Geldar refused to let up and made numerous raids on their opponents’ goal area, forcing their custodian Damba Brain to affect save after save and it took a 90th minute penalty which was awarded for handled ball in the area and was scored by Rhudy Evens to break down the strong defence that was in operation for the defending champions.
But it was the Alpha/GDF match which gave the fans on hand a high level of football from the opening sound of referee Roland Persaud’s whistle to the last which was sounded in dusky conditions.
Alpha are the national club champions of Guyana and they did not hesitate to display why, when a Dwight Peters cross was picked out by Shawn Bishop after eluding Devon Harris at the back for GDF, but Bishop found it difficult to get a shot off.
An even exchange took place after the first 25 minutes of the game, as both teams sought their rhythm and it was Alpha who found theirs first and capitalised on it, thanks to Abrams’ 32nd minute strike from a goalmouth scrimmage.
Ten minutes later and he made it two-nil when he beat GDF’s custodian and skipper Delon Younge with a deft shot in the far corner, after receiving a beautiful pass in the box from Bishop, who displayed an unselfish attitude during his time on the field.
Many fans gathered at the venue had written off the Army Boys, as they called on Alpha to uplift the winners’ trophy and US$1 500 that came with it at the end of the game.
But GDF had other ideas and the introduction of Gilkes and David within the first five minutes of the second half, followed by Parks a mere 10 minutes later, turned things around for the team which captured third place in the just concluded Guyana Football Federation Super 8 tournament which was won by none other than Alpha.
They attacked relentlessly from both wings and occasionally in the middle, leaving their opponents’ defence which was led by national skipper Howard Lowe and assisted by Selwyn Isaacs, Solomon Austin and B. Baker in a quandary at times.
A heroic effort from Gilkes reduced Alpha’s lead in the 64th minute of the match, as he worked his way past Baker and Isaacs on the left side to beat national custodian Ronson Williams with a well placed shot to his left to spark off celebrations.
If the first goal was a gem, the second can best be described as a classic, as David who was displaying a Herculean effort for his team, worked his way into Alpha’s box after getting past Kris Camacho who had replaced Baker minutes after the first goal.
David surprised all and sundry, when he opted to send a cross to the far post of Alpha’s goal where he located an unmarked Gilkes who fired a one time shot that went straight to but managed to elude Williams to cross the line.
Williams kicked the ball into the players’ pavilion in reaction to the goal being awarded, earning himself a yellow card in the process amidst wild celebrations from the Army on and off the field of play, with a few of their supporters storming the touchline in support.
From that point onward, GDF were all over their opponents even though they lost the services of McKinnon who was given marching orders for unsportsmanlike conduct, but it did not deter their spirits.
They played and held their opponents as if they were one man short and when the shrill sound of Persaud’s whistle pierced the air, the celebrations on the field by the GDF team and their support staff can be compared to that of Spain who won the 2010 FIFA World Cup one month ago in South Africa.
The action will continue tomorrow, with GDF facing Geldar at 18:00 h and Alpha opposing Inter Moengotapoe from 20:00 h in a tournament which can go any GDF, Alpha or even Moengotapoe’s way, after which the presentation of prizes will be made to the various winners. 
The winners of the tournament will receive US$1 500, possession of the lien trophy for one year, a permanent trophy replica and 25 gold medals, while the runners-up will receive a permanent trophy and 25 silver medals.