AFTER suffering a defeat at the hands of Pouderoyen Young Achievers in the West Demerara Football Association (WDFA) Stag Beer competition, Den Amstel rebounded to record a convincing come-from-behind 2-1 victory over BK Western Tigers on Sunday evening at the Georgetown Football Club ground. In the other scheduled game of the Guyana Football Federation’s Super League competition, between defending champions Alpha United and Seawall, Seawall failed to show up, hence Alpha was awarded a walkover and in the process remained champions after aggregating 22 points from their matches.
Western Tigers scored first in the 2nd minute, when captain Dwayne Ali hit a shot about 30 yards from the goal on the right side, which beat goalkeeper O’Neil Heywood and settled in the roof.
This goal signalled a goal shout, but Den Amstel had other ideas, clawing back into the game with good build-ups and deft passing.
Golden Jaguars player Kester Jacobs marshalled the midfield with command and authority and he was ably supported by another Young Golden Jaguars in Gideon Payne, who toured with the National team to Suriname to play in the Parbo Bier Cup, and U-20 Selectee Andre Hector.
The half-time whistle was sounded with the scoreline unchanged, but 10 minutes into the half, Den Amstel was awarded a penalty after Tigers’ custodian Derrick Carter fouled an opponent and referee Miguel Vieira, who was on spot, blew the whistle and the dreaded penalty was awarded.
However, Carter protested his innocence profusely saying he had not fouled the player but the referee was adamant that it was a penalty and issued Carter another yellow card for dissent.
But as Jacobs stepped up to spot the ball for the kick, Carter started to rant and rave saying that the ball was not on the mark and after some amount of shouting, Vieira had no choice but to issue another yellow card for dissent, resulting in Carter receiving an automatic red card.
However, before leaving the field Carter abused the referee by using abusive, offensive and indecent language which continued after he left the playing area.
Fifteen-year-old reserve custodian Romel Legall entered the goal to attempt to stop the penalty but he was unsuccessful as Jacobs slotted the ball past his outstretched left arm to level the score in the 55th minute.
Faced to continue the contest with just 10 players, the Tigers led by their skipper Dwayne Ali, Robert Wagner, Jerome Richardson and the hardworking Philip Rowley, tried desperately to regain the lead but the boys from the west defended stubbornly.
In the 75th minute a defence error which occurred when Jorrel Tyrell missed the ball at the top of the box, saw Payne who was having a good game pounce on the loose ball, head to goal unchallenged and slip it pass the oncoming Legall to give his team the lead and subsequently the victory.
However despite losing the match, BK International Western Tigers finished in second position with 19 points, with Rosignol United third on 16 points followed by Den Amstel and Amelia’s Ward with 15 points each, with Den Amstel taking the fourth position due to a superior goal difference.
Pele are in 6th place followed by Milerock and Buxton in 7th and 8th, while Seawall and Victoria Kings occupy the 9th and 10th position respectively, hence they will be eliminated from the Super League.
The Knockout for the Top 8 teams is expected to commence shortly, while the action will continue tomorrow with Alpha United and Milerock colliding at the GFC ground from 20:00hrs. The final game between Milerock and Amelia’s Ward is scheduled for next week in Linden at a venue and date to be announced.