MATCHES in the second edition of the Stag Super XVI knock-out tournament involving teams from the East Bank, East Demerara and West Demerara Football Associations will continue today at the Golden Grove ground, East Coast Demerara.Tonight’s double-header will see the home side (Golden Grove), take on the East Bank Demerara counterparts Grove Hi-Tech in the second game of the planned double-header, while the opening game brings together Soesdyke Falcons and Pouderoyen.
The matchups tonight should have been played last Sunday at the Grove Playfield but during the opening first match between Soesdyke Falcons and Pouderoyen – the former leading 1-0 – difficulties with one of the lighting fixtures on multiple occasions forced the referee to abandon the game as well as the feature match.
Soesdyke Falcons were leading when the game was called off through a 22nd minute penalty that was converted by Andy Higgins.
The organisers and sponsor took the decision after a brief meeting to reschedule the matches to today at the Golden Grove ground, East Coast Demerara.
The Falcons hope to reset quickly and continue from where they left off on Sunday night and will no doubt go into today’s game with the psychological advantage. The playing surface will be new to both teams and they will strive to get a hang of it as early as possible.
John Steele will start in goal for the Falcons, with support coming from Delwin Boston, Kelcer Benson, Troy Johnson, Colin Holder, Andy Higgins, Collis Massiah, Sean Davis and Alvin Adams.
Pouderoyen will look to seasoned campaigners Clement Brown, Delon Josiah, Adami Hoyte, Adrian Giddings and Marvin Griffith along with Marvin Frank, Deron Chilcott, Sherwin Bernard and Shemar Williams to lead their quest for a win.
Grove Hi Tech will be banking on the following players to see them over the first hurdle this year in their journey towards retaining the championship and securing the $1.5M that is at stake for the winning team: Sherman Doris (captain), Trevor Jones, Nickolai Matthews, Lloyd Matthews, Denzil Crawford, Alex Sinclair, Dane Douglas and custodian Michael Matthews.
Meanwhile, the final set of round-of-16 matches will be played tomorrow at the Den Amstel Community Centre ground when the home team match skills with Agricola Red Triangle in the feature game with opening play between Kuru Kururu Warriors and Mahaica Determinators from 18:00hrs.
Quarter-final action will be played on Christmas Day (December 25) at the Farm Community Centre ground, East Bank Demerara and Boxing Day (December 26) at the Victoria ground.