AN IN-FORM Gregory ‘Jackie Chan’ Richardson will lead the undefeated Pele Football Club against Fruta Conquerors tonight in the second match of a double-header when the STAG Elite League continues at the Tucville ground. In the opening encounter, points leader Alpha ‘The Hammer’ United will do battle against the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) from 18:00hrs.

Alpha United, one of the three undefeated teams in the league (Pele and Slingerz FC are the others) will look to extend their lead while the GDF, who had suffered a shock defeat (2-1) to the Georgetown Football Club (GFC), will certainly aim to rebound and show an improved performance.
Head coach Wayne ‘Wiggy’ Dover had said that the race is not for the swift, with his comments coming after his team were held to two draws, coming against Slingerz FC (0-0) and Pele (2-2), while his team rebounded to win their two subsequent matches in convincing fashion.
Against GFC, Alpha United were led by goals from Kithson Bain and Dwayne Lawrence, winning 2-0 and in the Fruta Conquerors match, Delon Lanferman netted both goals (2-0).
However, there’s no love affair between the ‘Hammers’ and the Army. The two are known as bitter rivals and since coach Denzil Thompson’s men are coming off a shabby showing against GFC, the soldiers will be looking to regain their position in the top four.
Delroy Fraser, one of the top goalscorers in the league, along with brother Delwin, will lead a potent attack that also features midfield player Eusi Phillips and even captain and defender Selwyn Isaacs who is known for scoring goals.
Bain, Lanferman and Lawrence will form the usual alliance with Philbert Moffat (midfield), Quincy Madramootoo, Sherwin Skeete and Clive Mathews to lead Alpha United’s attack.
Meanwhile, football fans are expected to flood the Tucville venue for what could be one of the best games of the league.
Behind Richardson, Pele FC are so far one of the drawing cards of the league, with scores of fans turning up to see what tricks their magician will pull out of his hat.
It will be interesting to see how Richardson will do against a Fruta Conquerors defence that’s led by their captain Trevon ‘German’ Lythcott.
Lythcott, who can press forward and score goals, is enjoying a solid season and behind him, Fruta Conquerors have certainly been one of the teams that are appealing to the eyes.
The team conceded their first (and only) defeat of the STAG Elite League last Sunday and according to their coach Calvin Allen, he’s optimistic of a turnaround tonight.
Allen, speaking to Chronicle Sport recently, admitted that his team were outplayed by Alpha United in every department but said that his players have all worked hard over the last couple of days to correct the mistakes made and are eyeing three points against Pele FC tonight.

By Rawle Toney