Agricola top table after trouncing Herstelling 8-0; Grove better Soesdyke in epic

WITH the intensity of the Stag Beer-sponsored East Bank Football Association (EBFA) division-one league increasing, the latest battle between Grove Hi Tech and Soesdyke was an epic on Sunday afternoon at the Grove Playfield and has been dubbed the most exciting game to date.Grove ran out 5-3 victors but it was not an easy battle, barring some questionable referrals that saw both teams on the wrong end, te game had the attention of the fans throughout the game.
Sunday’s other match-up saw Agricola Red Triangle trounce Herstelling 8-0, their second win in as many matches and with the win they have assumed the number one spot on the points table by virtue of a better goal difference ahead of Kuru Kururu Warriors and Timehri Panthers.
Grove were led by their captain Domini Garnett, who has been named in the National Squad that will commence preparations for the Caribbean Football Union championships. He opened the scoring for his side in the 12th minute.
Garnett’s goal was soon matched by teammates Denzil Crawford in the 17th minute and Joel Dick one minute later from the penalty spot (first of a double from him) as Grove raced to a 3-0 lead. But even such a comfortable advantage was not to deter the Soesdyke boys who kept up their offensive efforts.
Their persistence brought the desired results and in the 32nd minute. The advantage was narrowed compliments of a Colin McLean goal. This change in fortunes brought more energy to the Soesdyke team even as Grove tried to keep them at bay, the half ending 3-1 in favour of Grove.
On resumption, Soesdyke continued where they left off from the first half and five minutes on, they found their second goal to bring down the deficit to one, Dwayne Dillon converting in the 50th minute.
Dillon’s goal added a new perspective to the game but Grove were not comfortable with their rivals coming so close; restoring the two-goal cushion two minutes later when Tybert Muir found the back of the nets.
The exchanges continued end to end as neither team relented. With time ticking away, Soesdyke again found goal-shooting range and made it count when Roger Dey blasted in their third, four minutes to full time much to the delight of his teammates and fans.
At this juncture they (Soesdyke) were on a high and were at least looking for an even share of the points if they could have found another goal to draw them level.
Grove were not in a mood to share any points.
On the stroke of full time, the home team placed the result beyond any doubt when Dick netted his second to seal an exciting win for Grove 5-3, their first points, while it was Soesdyke’s first loss of the league.
Agricola did not have much worry in disposing the challenge of Herstelling, one of the youngest clubs in the association.
Finding the target for Agricola were Travis Farinha (2nd, 18th) and Gordon Grant (22nd, 26th) with a brace each while there was one each for Winston Rawlins 15th, Travis Welch 42nd, Colin Richie 44th and Yohance Roberts 48th.
Matches will continue at the same venue this Sunday and Monday which is a National holiday in observance of Phahwah.
On Sunday, Diamond United will oppose Mocha Champs in the first game from 13:00hrs with Kuru Kururu Warriors and Timehri Panthers clashing in the feature.
Monday’s matches will see Grove Hi Tech oppose Herstelling FC with the main event between Soesdyke Falcons and Agricola Red Triangle.