Uitvlugt stop Stewartville to reach semis

NATIONAL striker Anthony ‘Awo’ Abrams netted a helmet-trick while Clive De Nobrega and Devon Millington scored a goal each to help guide tournament hosts and defending champions Slingerz Football Club (FC) to a 6-1 victory over Bagotville, when action in the second annual Stag Beer/West Mashramani Champions Cup continued at the Uitvlugt Community Centre ground.In the second clash of the night’s planned double-header, Monday last, Uitvlugt walked away 3-0 winners over their rivals of neighbouring village Stewartville.
The win for the two teams means that they will clash with each other in Saturday’s semifinals at the same venue.
Abrams was signed to Slingerz FC from Alpha ‘the hammer’ United during the last transfer window, along with six other players, to form a new-look roster for the West Demerara Football Association (WDFA) number one club.
Forming an alliance with Millington up front, it was obvious head coach Charles ‘Lily Pollard wanted to see how the two will mesh and his experiment paid off in the 9th minute when Abrams and his new-found partner teamed up to score the game’s opening goal.
After receiving the assist from Abrams, Millington returned the favour eight minutes later as ‘Awo’ scored his first goal since signing to the ‘West Side’ club to put the score 2-0.
The score line doesn’t tell the true story of how hard Bagotville fought off relentless attacks from Slingerz FC and they were able to counter in the 23rd minute and score a beautiful goal from Delon Layne.
Slingerz FC’s field setting reflected a team who came out to press their opponents from the first whistle and with the Collin Nelson-led defence all sitting well into the Bagotville half, Layne ran on to a perfectly placed pass and caught goalkeeper Jason Cromwell off-guard as the sides ended the first half 2-1.
Pollard must have said something to his troops during the half-time break. Slingerz came out looking hungrier than in the first half and the combination of Millington and Abrams on top placed the Bagotville team under extreme pressure.
Abrams was able to score his second goal from the charity spot in the 52nd minute after Millington was brought down in the penalty area. His other two goals (62nd, 70th) both came from Millington’s assists.
Meanwhile, the second game of the night lived up to all expectations, though it was Uitvlugt who booked a place in the semifinals.
An own goal in the 4th minute and a double from Charles Stoby in the 8th and 50th minutes ended a dominant performance from Uitvlugt as they now face the biggest challenge against the defending champions.
The Slingerz FC/Uitvlugt game will be the second game on Saturday (March 1) with Den Amstel and Pouderoyen playing in the opening fixture from 18:30hrs.
Apart from Stag Beer, Double Day Rentals, Nicola’s Bar, R&K Gas station, First Choice Waters and Two Brothers Service Station are the other sponsors on board so far.