BOTH GCC and Hikers sides recorded wins on Tuesday in the opening evening of the Guyana Hockey Board-organised LUCOZADE Indoor Hockey Tournament at the National Gymnasium.
The first match between Bounty’s GCC and the Old Fort Knockers showed real promise initially, but ended up being a one-sided affair in favour of GCC.The final tally was 20-0 and critics say that this was attributed to the Knockers playing without a goalie. The stars for the winning team were National junior player Daniel Hooper (7 goals) and Kevin Spencer (6).
Hooper scored 4 of the 7 goals at halftime and that set the Knockers back on their heels. However, rumour has it that the Old Fort Knockers are not swayed, and are ready for battle again.
The second contest saw the Old Fort Stallions face up against the Hikers. The Hikers managed to clinch a 7-5 win but the Stallions showed that they were no pushovers, despite not having a goalkeeper as well. Hikers captain Robert France opened the scoring in the 4th minute and Aroydy Brandford netted a double in the 11th and 12th minutes.
Old Fort’s Aderemi Simon responded to the Hikers’ lead with a FG (field goal) in the 18th minute, but Hikers’ Andrew Stuart then netted a PC (penalty corner) in the 20th minute, just before the half-time buzzer, bringing the score to 4-1.
In the second half, Chris Low-Khan of the Stallions came out with fervour and scored a double in the 22nd and 25th minutes bringing the game to 4-3.
National junior player Andrew Stuart then netted his second goal at 32 minutes coming in the form of a PS (penalty stroke).
However, Old Fort’s Asokfu Simon made sure the game stayed within striking distance by scoring a 35th minute FG to end scores to 5-4.
Just when patrons were on the edges of the seats with half-bitten finger nails, Randy Hope of the Hikers put the final gap between the teams after netting his double in the 36th and 38th minutes, respectively.
Aderemi Simon’s second goal on the buzzer came only as a mere consolation since the Hikers were already standing proud at the game’s end.
The LUCOZADE League action continues tomorrow with Saints Men vs GCC Vintage and GCC Pitbulls versus Hikers Men. The first game begins at 17:00hrs.