Fruta Conquerors and GDF to meet in semi this Sunday
THANKS to a Jolyon Harry brace in the 14th and 46th minutes of play, Tucville-based Fruta Conquerors were able to defeat Riddim Squad 3-1 to set up a semifinal date with the Guyana Defence Force (GDF).
The Army men  had to hold off a rampaging Sunburst Camptown before coming away with a 4-2 (2-2) penalty kick win, as action in the inaugural BK International Western Tigers Super 8 knockout tournament got under way at the Georgetown Football Club (GFC) ground on Sunday.
Watched by a fair-sized crowd, Fruta Conquerors had a tough battle from their Mocha-based opponents in the first half, even though they had more ball possession.
Harry’s first of two goals had some controversy behind it, as the Riddim Squad players claimed the ball found its way at the back of the net through the side. Referee Steve James was forced to consultant his number one assistant who confirmed the goal.
Amos Ramsay then pulled one back for his team, when he caught an advancing Colin Edwards, in goal for Fruta Conquerors, napping and calmly placed the ball over his head and into the back of the net.
Not a full minute had elapsed when play resumed following Ramsay’s equaliser, when Fruta Conquerors were celebrating their second goal, thanks to Vernon Mills who emulated Ramsay by placing the ball over the head of an advancing Ron Liverpool, whose protection of Riddim Squad’s uprights was beyond poor.
That goal knocked the rhythm out of Riddim Squad, leaving them to face a rampaging Fruta Conquerors. Hence it was no surprise when Harry got his second goal and despite efforts to reduce the lead, Riddim were met by a resilient-looking Edwards who pulled off back-to-back saves to deny Ramsay.
An even exchange ensued between GDF and Sunburst Camptown, with neither team looking to give any advantage to their opponent, until Hubert Pedro opened the Army’s account after enjoying a tactical one-two play with Warren Gilkes inside Sunburst Camptown’s six-yard box in the 13th minute.
National striker Nigel ‘Powers’ Codrington was outfitted with the captain’s armband for this encounter, which meant expectations were high, but despite Troy Prescod’s numerous attempts to get the ball to the dangerous striker, GDF’s defence which was marshalled by Devon Harris, stood tall to deny him.
It took a penalty kick that was converted by Rishawn Sandiford in the 87th minute following a handled ball, that gsve the Campbellville-based Sunburst Camptown the equaliser and forced the game into extra time.
Codrington proved to all and sundry gathered at the venue that he had to score and did so in the second half of extra time to send his team into the lead, but a defence error enabled Shawn Arthur to snatch the equaliser for GDF, forcing the referee to call penalty kicks.
Codrington, Prescod and Sherwin Cadogan missed from the spot for Sunburst Camptown, while Eusi ‘Boneyman’ Peters was the lone casualty for GDF, who came out on top in the end.
The action continues on Friday at the same venue, with Kashif and Shanghai runners-up Pele taking on Santos in what should be a scorcher from 18:00 h, while in the feature match which kicks off at 20:00 h, BK Western Tigers will take on GFC.
At stake in the competition is $500 000 and a trophy to the victorious team, while the runners-up will pocket $200 000 and a trophy, with the third- and fourth-placed teams carting off $100 000 and $50 000 respectively.