-defending champions held to a draw
EL DORADO’S Andrew Lambert eclipsed Kwesi Johnson and  Darrel George as the player to score the fastest goal in the second annual Banks DIH sponsored Linden Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ competition, doing so last Saturday night when the action continued at the New Silver City Secondary School hard court. Johnson and George had previously recorded their goals in the first minute of play for their respective teams during the first two rounds of the tournament, but Lambert got his in a mere 13 seconds, even though his team went down to Top Class 2-1.
Eight (8) pulsating matches warmed the hearts of the fans who braved the persistent showers earlier in the day, to throng the venue and witness the night’s action, which also saw defending champions Eagles being held to a two all draw by their nemesis Trainline Warriors.
The action commenced with The Amazing and Exodus playing to a one all draw, with Travis Leitch (3rd) and Derwin Daw being the respective goal scorers for both teams, before Lambert left the crowd buzzing with his stunner which made Top Class look like a second tier lineup.
However, Bonny Hamilton got a double in the 3rd and 18th minute of play, to see his team to victory, before Speightland and Rough and Rugged emulated The Amazing/Exodus encounter by playing to a 1-1 draw in the third match, of which Michael Ramdelich (17th) and Jamie Wilson (10th) being the two goalscorers.
Pokerburg turned back the challenges of Cherokee Park by inflicting a 2-1 defeat on their opponents, with Leon Guishard and Uroy Major finding the back of the net for the winners in the 5th and 7th minutes respectively, while Trevor Smith pulled one back for Cherokee Park in the 16th minute.
Thanks to Keon Bristol’s brace (18th and 19th minutes), Goal Getters rebounded from being down 0-1 at lemon time, to defeat Scheme 4-1 with Shawn Henry (11th) and A. Moore (14th) supporting Bristol, after Ryan Crandon sent Scheme into the lead in the 3rd minute.
Henry had a golden opportunity to nullify Crandon’s goal two minutes later, when he was asked to take a spot kick for his team and missed same, but he made amends on the resumption of play with a wonderfully taken free kick, that blew past Scheme’s defense and nestled into the back of the net.
Eagles must have scent their second victory of the tournament, when Dellon Charter rocked the net from a set play in the 5th minute.
A Floyd Major double scored in the 13th and 17th minutes respectively, pushed Trainline Warriors into the lead, but as they were settling down to either defend or take the attack to their more illustrious opponents with whom they always have an exciting battle, Eon Rodrigues pulled one back for Eagles in the 18th minute.
Despite a keen tussle for supremacy in the dying minutes of the game as both sides fought for supremacy, the sound of the referee’s whistle meant they had to share the points, with the point of who is the better of the two teams still to be decided.
In the penultimate match of the night, Star Boyz riding on the back of Marvin Benn’s double which was scored in the 3rd and 15th minute along with Ralph Alexander’s 4th minute strike, guided their team to a 3-1 win over Street Vibes, for whom Domaine Angus found the back of the net in the 6th minute.
The final encounter was a 1-1 stalemate between Ripping Bullets and Barsenal, with Shawn Seaforth scoring for the former in the 12th minute while Matthew Whyte responded for the latter six minutes later.
The action will continue on Saturday night at the Wisroc/Amelia’s Ward bus park with eight more matches being contested in the fourth round.
Minibus will oppose $100 Car Park in the first encounter which kicks off at 1830hrs, followed by Classic Six who faces Wash Boyz, Sheriff Squad and Retrieve Unknowns and the Constab Warriors versus Coomacka encounter, which closes off the first half before the Guinness break.
In the second half, Attackers will meet Trainline Warriors, Pepper Skull clashes with High Stars, Amelia’s Ward Russians opposes South Stars and Wisroc challenging One Mile/Half Mile to bring the curtains down on the night’s action.