FOLLOWING intense Christmas Night exchanges at the Farm Community Centre ground, East Bank Demerara, defending champions Grove Hi Tech downed Pouderoyen 2-0, while Mahaica Determinators edged Den Amstel 1-0, to book respective semifinal spots in the second edition STAG Super XVI knock-out tournament.Grove sealed the fate of Pouderoyen in the first half and could have easily won by a wider margin but for poor finishing, Mahaica were pushed to the hilt and only sealed the fate of Den Amstel in the closing moments of their pulsating shindig.
Playing floodlight football at the Farm ground for the first time, Grove did not take much time to get into their stride, as they sought to shut out the opposition early. Pouderoyen came into the match as one of the leading sides on the West Side taking on the pride of the East Bank.
The defending champs did not allow their opposition to settle and went on the offensive from the first whistle. It did not take long for Grove to ease into the lead compliments of a bullet-like free kick from Lloyd ‘Badai’ Matthews in the 10th minute.
A free kick was awarded to Grove just outside the Pouderoyen 18-yard area and Grove’s most energetic player was given the task of taking the free kick and he did not disappoint. The shot was not only powerful but well directed as Poudeoyen custodian Sherwin Bernard did not stand a sniffer of a chance in stopping Grove from going one up.
Urged on by their vociferous supporters, Grove continued on the offensive even as Pouderoyen also had a few good runs but were not able to be punchy and effective in the attacking third.
Grove doubled the advantage 30 minutes on; again the attacking mood of the home team brought the rewards they sought when Akeem James was successful in hitting past Bernard for his side’s second goal which saw the Grove fans celebrate in grand style.
The second period of play saw Grove dominate their counterparts whilst creating chances but poor work in the final third saw simple headers that should have been put away sail way over the crossbar as the game ended 2-0.
Grove will now play the winner of the quarter-final match-up that was contested last night at Golden Grove between Uitvlugt and Victoria Kings in the second semifinal on Tuesday night also at the Golden Grove ground, East Coast Demerara.
Mahaica Determinators bettered last year’s showing having exited at the quarter-final stage, by qualifying for a semifinal date with the winner of last evening’s match-up between Ann’s Grove and Beavers of West Demerara.
They were determined that the momentum they had against Den Amstel for most of Christmas night’s first quarter-final translated into a beautiful goal from a free kick, off the boot of Eion Abel in the penultimate minute of a gruelling battle.
When it seemed as if the match was destined for extra time, Mahaica’s constant pressuring of Den Amstel brought them a free kick in ideal range, just outside the area.
The resulting play saw the nippy Abel packing a well-directed left foot bullet that flew past goalkeeper Kevaughn Ward in the V to his right to seal a deserved win for the Mahaica boys and a final four date on Tuesday night at Golden Grove.
The winners of the competition will walk away with $1.5M on New Year’s night, January 1, 2016 while the losing finalists will collect $500 000. Third-placers will receive $300 000 while the fourth-placed team will get $200 000, all compliments of STAG.