Herstelling Raiders, Grove Hi Tech in winners’ row

HERSTELLING Raiders FC and Grove Hi Tech recorded full points when rivalry in the East Bank Football Association (EBFA), Ministry of Culture, Youth And Sports (MCYS) Under-13 football league kicked off yesterday at the Farm ground, East Bank, Demerara.The humidity of the day did not in any way steal any of the energy of the four teams on display as the youngsters sought to get the better of each other in exciting end-to-end exchanges.
Playing in the feature game, Herstelling Raiders needled Agricola Red Triangle while in the opening encounter a brace from Threvon Pluck guided Grove Hi Tech to a comfortable 5-0 win over Diamond United FC.
Herstelling, riding on their second place finish in the CULT Under-17 league, went to business early against the Agricola boys and were rewarded with a penalty when the ball was handled in the second minute of the game.
Captain and defender Devon Winter stepped up to take the shot and he put the ball away clinically past goalkeeper Christopher Adams, to give Herstelling the lead. The ensuing exchanges did not see any more goals, even as Agricola made a few raids of their own. It was the home team that squandered many other opportunities to stretch their advantage.
In the opening game, Grove got the better of Diamond United, the sixth team to register for the tournament.
Grove, already winning both junior tournaments so far this year (U-15 & U-17) made a bright start in their quest for yet more silverware. Under-15 leading goalscorer Threvon Pluck has already eased into the top place again finding the back of the net twice to set his team apart.
Pluck was on target in the 24th and 34th minutes. Devon Padmore had put his team in the lead in the 12th minute and his brother Kevin sealed the deal in the 52nd minute, after Solomon Ward had tucked in one of his own in the 45th minute.
The other two teams in the competition, Soesdyke Falcons and Kuru Kururu Warriors will open play on Saturday from 10:00hrs when the league continues at the same venue. Grove Hi Tech will then match skills with Agricola Red Triangle with Herstelling Raiders taking on Diamond United in the feature game.