THE second edition of the Continental Agencies Limited (CAL) sponsored SUN BURST / East Bank Football Association (EBFA) Under-17 league kicked off Saturday following a colorful march past of the seven participating clubs at the Grove Playfield.The traditional kickoff was done by CAL’s Marketing and Sales Manager Mr. Avalon Jagnandan following official opening remarks. This was followed by two matches which saw a total of 14 goals being scored.

Herstelling Raiders hammered Diamond United 8-0 in the feature match with Agricola Red Triangle taking care of Kuru Kururu Warriors 6-1 in the opening clash.

Group B action set the tone for the competition which would be played on a round-robin and knock-out format. Agricola Red Triangle, just off winning the Lens Craft / EBFA Under-13 league, wasted little time in asserting control of proceedings.

Captain Brian Price netted the opening goal and the first of his double, a well-directed curling shot that beat goalkeeper Sherven Henry in the V at the far post in the 4th minute. The Linden Soesdyke based Kuru Kururu Warriors bounced back by keeping the Agricola boys at bay for the remainder of the opening 35 minutes.

It was not until the second half, in the 50th minute to be exact that Agricola was able to break down the Warriors again.
Andre Henry it was who found the back of the nets for Agricola and that sparked a flurry of goals.

Reuben Stanford then took over to hammer in two goals of his own in the 52nd and 54th minute before Price completed his double in the 60th minute.
The Warriors who did enjoy a few good moments of their own was finally able to pull one back in the 63rd minute thanks to Ishmael James.

Shamar Hinds sealed the deal for Agricola by converting the final goal in the 67th minute to formalize their 6-1 triumph which ensured full points and a a jump ahead in group B which also include Grove and Soesdyke Falcons, the top two advancing to the semis.

Group A play got underway with Herstelling Raiders romping to a comprehensive 8-0 win over Diamond United.
Daniel Nedd led the winners with the first hat-trick of the league he hit the network in the 7th, 33rd and 67th minute in a match that was dominated by the winners.
SeonAlfred who was a prominent feature for Herstelling last year at the U-17 and senior levels along with National Under-17 goalkeeper QuazimYussuf, blasted the nets twice in the 28th and 30th minute while James Walcott was on target in the 46th minute.
The final goal was an own goal by Diamond. The other team in Group A is Mocha Champs.

Jagnandan in official opening remarks before declaring the league open expressed his company’s delight in supporting the development of youths reminding that they have also been sponsoring others sports including motor-racing, badminton and karate among others.

He wished the teams every success in the opening and ensuing matches challenging them to be disciplined on and off the field of play. Matches will continue this Saturday.