IN the opening match of the day GCC drew nil-all with Saints as more hockey action continued last Sunday in the John Fernandes second division hockey league tournament. Saints had an early attempt at GCC’s goal but an excellent save by goalkeeper Hing kept the score even.
It was a game of defence as attacks continued from end to end but no team was able to make an impact on the score line.
GCC’s best chance came late in the second half when Leonard George beat the Saints goalkeeper but sent his shot inches wide of the goal leaving the match drawn without a goal scored.
The Hikers overcame Old Fort 2-1 in a stunning comeback in the match that followed.  The Hikers had many attempts to score early in the game but excellent saves by Old Fort’s goalkeeper Aderemi Simon kept them out of the goal.
It was Old Fort who took the lead when John Abrams in the 34th minute converted a penalty corner as his shot found the uprights of the goal.
However, in the 55th minute, the Hikers levelled the score when Jamarj Assanah’s shot was deflected by the goalkeeper onto the crossbar and the rebound picked up by the enthusiastic Reginald Harper who found the back of the nets with a tap in.
Old Fort pressed forward but was thwarted by the Hikers’ defenders Andrew Steward and Rayon Branford.  It was a defensive error by Old Fort which changed the game and allowed Hikers to gain a penalty corner in the 58th minute.
Old Fort did everything possible to break down the play but Aroydy Branford hammered his shot past a diving Simon to take Hikers into the lead and seal the well-deserved 2-1 victory.
The Hikers retain their firm grasp on the top spot in the competition with 27 points, from victories in all 9 of their matches to date.
The Airbenders, Old Fort and the All Greys are all within one point of each other filling up the next three spots on 12, 11 and 10 points respectively.  GCC with 9 points and Saints with 5, round out the pool. GCC and All Greys both have 2 matches remaining while Saints and the Airbenders have one each.
Matches continue at Bourda this Friday with a clash between the All Greys and GCC.