NOT even the soft and partially water-logged MSC ground could stop the perfect Army march, in season two, of the GFF-STAG Elite League as they breezed past Topp XX of Linden 4-1, last Sunday night for a third commanding win from as many games.In another confident and cohesive performance, the Bilaal Nantambu-coached soldiers had little difficulty in overcoming the home side who had sporadic spurts of brilliance in the second half.
Former national youth player Olvis Mitchell opened the scoring in the 13th minute and Kennard Simon added another in the 27th minute for a first-half dominance by a super-fit-looking Army unit.
A rejuvenated Topp XX, after the interval, gave the biggest crowd for season two of the Elite League a glimmer of hope for a close contest as they reduced the deficit from the penalty mark just after five minutes of the resumption. Travis Waterton’s low hard shot down the middle had goalkeeper Enoch Carmichael going to his left.
The home side’s joy lasted a mere three minutes as Mitchell completed a brace when he eluded his marker to fire home a low right-booter from just outside the box on the attacking right past goalkeeper Jamal Caster.
Topp XX had another penalty awarded by referee Sherwin Johnson in the 71st minute but this time Waterton’s similar attempt was denied by Carmichael. The spot kick resulted in Simon being red-carded for deliberately stopping a clear goal with his hands. It was the second expulsion from a game of the season.
After the penalty miss, Delwin Fraser evaded a tackle at the top of the box before hitting past Caster for a 4-1 score line in the 75th minute and it remained that way until the final whistle. The three points pushed the GDF to a maximum 9 points, one less than leaders Fruta Conquerors, but with a game in hand. Meanwhile Topp XX remain the only side without a point as they continue to prop up the table.
The next round of matches in the GFF-STAG Elite six-team league will be played this coming Friday at the Monedderlust ground in West Berbice.