THERE were respective hat-tricks for Herstelling Raiders’ Shoran James and Agricola Red Triangle’s Leon Moore on a day when 14 goals were scored in three matches as the Lens Craft Optical/East Bank Football Association Under-13 League continued at the Grove Playfield, yesterday. Grove Hi Tech’s Rasheed Evans netted a double in leading his side to a 3-0 win over Diamond United in the day’s feature game. Diamond, a team on the improve, held the host team at bay up until the 5th minute of the second half when Jamallo Benjamin broke the deadlock, drilling a well-taken shot past custodian Nigel Ram in the 40th minute.
Four minutes later, Evans netted the first of his double as Grove gradually wrested the initiative from the Diamond unit. Their inspiration leader and leading scorer Teon Forde who played in all the positions, tried his utmost to ensure his team was competitive but did not succeed.
Evans put the icing on the cake in the 50th minute to see his team to full points. Shoran James returned to ripping form for Herstelling Raiders who put away the challenge of Kuru Kururu Warriors 4-0.
James fired in his goals in the 19th, 21st, and 31st minutes with the final goal coming off the boot of Elisha Crawford in the 55th minute in a commanding performance from the Raiders.
The day’s opening game saw Agricola Red Triangle hammer Mocha Champs 6-1, thanks to a hat-trick from their leading goalscorer Leon Moore, his second hat-trick of the tournament. Moore was on target in the 7th, 15th and 36th minutes, Agricola enjoying a 3-1 half-time advantage. Eon Mars netted their only goal on the stroke of halftime. Kerwayne Anthony netted Agricola’s third in the 26th minute.
After the break, Mocha put up some resistance as they held off Agricola until the final three minutes of the game. They were awarded a penalty in the 5th which goalkeeper Christopher Adams, who was hardly tested, converted effortlessly.
One minute later, Shamar Hicks latched on to a direct pass to put the ball past goalkeeper Shamar DeGroot with a first time shot.