By Stephan Sookram

NEW Amsterdam United and Santos Football Club are the first two teams to enter the semi-final stage of the 2015/2016 Georgetown Football Association (GFA)/Banks Beer Knockout football competition. In the first of the quarter-final matches on Christmas Day at the Number 5 ground, the Berbice-based side was made to work hard for their 2-1 win against Police.
Delroy Ferdinand opened the scoring bright and early in the 11th minute, putting the boys in blue on the back foot from the outset.
However, in the 32nd minute, the touring Police side finally produced a breakthrough in the case when Jonathan Fredericks skilfully found the back of the net.
Halftime brought no change in the score as both teams created chances but failed to capitalise on them.
The entire second half would not bring a separator as the game required the extra time before a winner could be decided.
With the game looking to head to spot kicks for the decider, Ferdinand returned halfway through the second period of extra time (111th minute) to bring his team the much deserved goal.
The second game, much like the first, was a tight affair when Santos met Rosignol United.
Josh Parvatan in the 15th minute opened the scoring for the Santos side before Tyrese Forde in the 18th put the Georgetown-based side further ahead and seemingly in a good position to win the match.
However, Mark Wronge in the 25th and Winston Benjamin two minutes into second half (47th minute) ensured that Rosginol put up a fight for their spot.
It took an 89th minute strike by Travis Fitzpatrick to seal the Santos side’s semi-final spot.
Quarter-final matches continued last evening at the GFC ground, Bourda, where Riddim Squad FC faced Beacon FC while Sunburst Camptown FC clashed with Western Tigers FC for the final two semi-final spots.
The winner of the Riddim Squad/Beacon affair will play Santos in the semis while the winner of the Camptown/Tigers match will have to face New Amsterdam.
The tournament concludes on January 1 at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence.