Phillips and Wills’ hat-tricks highlight opening night
BOTH Andre Phillips and Orande Wills struck hat-tricks on the opening night of action in the second annual Banks DIH/Linden Guinness Greatest of the Streets-sponsored football competition, which kicked off at the Wisroc/Amelia’s Ward car park last Sunday night. Phillips found the back of the net in the 9th, 12th and 16th minutes, as his team The Amazing recorded the largest margin of victory, 7-1 over Constab Warriors, while Wills’ goals were scored in the 13th, 18th and 19th minute for Wisroc whose encounter with Goalgetters ended in a draw.
Apart from The Amazing, Classic Six, Sheriff Squad and Amelia’s Ward Russians also recorded victories in the night’s action, which saw Chairman of the Regional Democratic Council of Region 10, Sharma Solomon, and Banks DIH’s Public Relations Officer Troy Peters, wish all teams and the organisers best of luck for this year’s tournament.
In the opening fixture of the night, Jermaine Fordyce sent The Amazing into the lead in the 5th minute, before Joseph McKenzie responded for Constab Warriors with a marvellous free kick from approximately 15 feet away from his opponents’ goal, three minutes later.
Spectators were still speaking about McKenzie’s shot which made its way through the legs of three players from The Amazing team, when Phillips struck one minute later, taking his team into the half with a 2-1 margin.
He scored his second two minutes after play resumed in the second half, which was followed by his third four minutes later, before Fordyce had scored his second in the 17th minute which was followed by Travis Leitch’s brace in the 17th and 19th minutes.
In the second game of the night, Godfrey Johnson sent Minibus Crew, who waited close to 15 minutes before their opponents Top Class took the playing area, into the lead in the second minute.
Bryan Joseph got the equaliser for Top Class two minutes after Johnson’s strike and when play resumed after lemon time where the scores were level at one goal each, Bunny Hamilton sent Top Class into the lead in the 12th minute, only to see Johnny Fredericks nullify same three minutes later, as the game ended in a 2-2 draw.
Romel Matthews found the back of the net in the 13th minute to hand Classic Six a 1-0 win over Pokerburg who lost the services of the dreadlocked Cecil Heywood who was expelled from the game in the 9th minute for serious foul play.
R. Sumner sent Goal Getters into the lead in the 5th minute of play, one that they held onto at the half-way stage of their encounter against Wisroc, before Wills got the equaliser three minutes into the second half, before K. Bristol give Goal Getters the lead once again in the 17th minute.
Wills’ second goal which was scored one minute after Bristol’s, snared the equaliser for Wisroc, who watched haplessly as A. Moore give Goal Getters the edge shortly after.
But even as Goal Getters’ fans were celebrating what seemed like an upset victory, Wills completed his hat-trick with a spectacular goal one minute from full time, ensuring his team shared the points.
Following a break in the night’s action, Star Boyz through Jermaine Granderson (6th) and Pepper Skull played to a 1-1 stalemate, with Romel Puckering finding the back of the net for the latter, 10 minutes after Granderson’s strike.
Sherriff Squad, through goals from Kwesi Johnson (1st minute) and former national striker Collie Hercules (14th), defeated Ripping Bullets 2-1, with Shawn Seaforth finding the back of the net for his team in the 14th minute.
Attackers and Eagles played to a 1-1 draw, with Fitzroy Chin (2nd) and Delon McAllister (13th) finding the back of the net for both teams, while Amelia’s Ward Russians through goals from Shawn Daniels (11th) and Travis Waterton (14th) defeated Speightland 2-1, with Alwin Creighton scoring for the losers in the 4th minute.
To date, Johnson has been accredited with the fastest goal of the tournament following his first minute strike against Ripping Bullets while Amelia’s Ward Russians and Sheriff Squad has lived up to their pre-tournament predictions, which is to defeat all who stand in their way to the title.
With a first place prize of $500 000 and a trophy going to the winner, the action will continue tonight at the Silver City hard court, with Exodus taking on Coomacka United, El Dorado going up against $100 Car Park, Wash Boyz facing Cherokee Park, South Stars meeting Rough and Rugged and last year’s runners-up Retrieve Unknown clashing with Barsenal.
Street Vybz will also face High Stars, Hard Knocks will tackle Trainline Warriors and Half Mile/One Mile will oppose Scheme in the final encounter of the second night of action.