LANKY midfielder Duquan Hercules’ solitary strike nine minutes into the opening game was enough for Bakewell Topp XX to advance to the next round against Amelia’s Ward Panthers on Sunday night, as the 2nd Upper Demerara Football Association /GT Beer Supa 16 Christmas championship got under way at the Mackenzie Sports Club ground, Linden.

After the official march past of the contesting Linden clubs and the first game between Mackenzie Veterans who defeated the Wismar Veterans in an East versus West clash which ended 2-0 for the Mackenzie side.
After delivering the feature address to the contesting teams Public Service Minister Ms Jennifer Webster did the ceremonial kick off to get things going.
The tall midfield player Duquan Hercules moving inside right received a neat through ball and entered the 18-yard box where he unloaded a rasping right-footer that beat Jamal Bouyea in the Amelia’s Ward goal in the 9th minute.
The game was a feeling-out for the two teams but Topp XX looked the better outfit as the game progressed with some neat passes and buildups, while the Ward team could only play in spurts.
Jermain Boston of Amelia’s Ward was red-carded for a dangerous foul in the 24th minute and both sides ended the game in a flurry with chances being missed on either side of play.
The official opening ceremony with the march past of the teams, including the defending champions Winners Connection, and prayers by Pastor Selwyn Sills, remarks from Regional Chairman Sharma Solomon, Guyana Football Federation’s Development Officer Lyndon France, UDFA president Collis Gift, Banks DIH Communications Officer Troy Peters and Minister Webster who was the main speaker..
Topp XX will now face Lethem Snatchers on Friday at the same venue while the competition continues tomorrow with Blueberry Hill taking on Vasco at 18:00hrs and the other game is between Block 22 Goal Getters and Ituni’s Peacemakers at 20:00hrs.

(By Joe Chapman)