Wins for Santos & Western Tigers on exciting first day
THE inaugural Lens Craft Optical/Sunburst Orange Juice (OJ) Under-15 League in the City finally kicked off yesterday, after being put on hold for two weeks, with three exciting matches at the Georgetown Football Club Ground, Bourda. Santos rallied to take full points from Flamingo in an exciting duel 3-2. BK International Western Tigers did not break a sweat as they were rewarded full points due to the no-show of Houston Stars for the second game of the day.
In the opening game of the tournament, Sunburst Camptown, smaller in size to the taller Georgetown Football Club players, still showed immense composure in taking an even share of the spoils in their 0-0 tie while the final game of the day almost turned out to be an upset.
Fruta Conquerors were up against a rejuvenated and improved Renaissance as the latter cantered into the lead with 10 minutes to go in the 60-minute contest.
But the Tucville-based Conquerors kept their focus to respond in like manner six minutes later with a beauty of a goal by Delroy Holligan, who worked his way into the box, found the space and time, to turn in the six yards box before unleashing a powerful right-foot blast past the outstretched hands of goalkeeper Wesley Greenidge.
The Renaissance goal was also well executed. Colin Peters picked up the ball midway into Conquerors’ half, worked his way past two defenders and, even though he was being marked closely, was able to stave off his opponents to hit his shot past Leon Sealey standing between the uprights for Conquerors.
However, the Renaissance celebrations did not last long as Conquerors responded to even things up and take an equal share of the points.
The Fruta side did create quite a few chances but some solid defending by Renaissance central defenders nullified their attempts. In one instance, the ball was cleared off the line with goalie Greenidge already out of the equation.
Santos, in their clash against Flamingo, quickly asserted themselves and by the 15th minute were leading comfortably. Their opponents took quite some time to settle in, as football at this level has not been played for almost two years.
Jerome Liddell opened the scoring in the 11th minute with that advantage doubled four minutes later through a Travis Fitzpatrick goal.
At the half-way point, Santos were sitting in some amount of comfort 2-0. Flamingo, were however re-energised following their team talk at the break and that showed in a much more purposeful display following the resumption of play.
However, six minutes into the half, Santos were gifted a third goal when Flamingo player Jermaine Fletcher scored an own goal. It was a deflating goal for his side.
Determined not to be outdone, Flamingo kept going at Santos and their persistence eventually paid dividends. On 36 minutes D. Johnson pulled one back for Flamingo.
Their captain Alpha McPhoy took things into his hands to reduce the lead with 10 minutes to game time. But their efforts to find the equaliser proved futile as time ran out with the scores unchanged.
Competition will continue  next Saturday with four more matches at the same venue.
Pele will start things off at 08:00 h against Houston Stars; Sunburst Camptown will square off with BK International Western Tigers at 09:15 h; Riddim Squad open their quest for top honours when they come up against Flamingo from 10:30 h with the final game of the day featuring Santos and Renaissance.