… Hosts face the perfect Army

By Ras Wadada

THE penultimate day of the GFF-STAG Elite League is set for the Number Five Village ground in West Berbice today and a chance for the Army to solidify their position at the top of the table. Linden’s Topp XX go in search of their first point against fellow newcomers to Guyana’s top flight football, Victoria Kings.The feature game between the GDF and home side Monedderlust FC could determine who will lead the 6-team pack going into Monday’s final play day of round one to be staged in Buxton.
After three convincing wins the Army have racked up 15 goals while conceding 2 in their unmatched perfect march towards the coveted title. Their opponents and hosts, tonight, have struggled in their 3 outings where they have picked up a solitary win while losing the other two.
Despite their indifferent showing so far, coach Floyd Cadogan is confident his players are ready to stop the seemingly unstoppable soldiers, “I think preparations for this game went well and the players and the community are really looking forward to this match. We are not too bothered about the Army’s success, we are looking forward to our own success which includes stopping them. Our home advantage will also be a factor once the fans come out in their numbers.”
The last Elite League game played at the facility ended in a 2-1 win for Monedderlust over GFC in the season one and tonight they are hopeful.
Meanwhile Technical Director for the Army, Bilaal Nantambu was optimistic in looking ahead to the fixture. It would not be a walkover or a walk in the park, but we’ll be able to do what we have been doing currently and that is to win. We are definitely more organised on the pitch as a team and like I said in the preseason preview we are going to raise a few eyebrows.”
The Army have been very impressive to date and with a number of their players from West Berbice the confidence is even higher. A win will propel the GDF to the top of the table on 12 points, two more than present leaders Fruta Conquerors, whom they meet in the first of 3 matches fixed for Monday.
The opening match at 18:30hrs today will feature the rookie Elite sides, Victoria Kings and Topp XX. The Kings have rebounded from their 7-1 drubbing against the GDF in their debut game to post a draw against Conquerors and a win versus Buxton.
Meantime the woes of bottom team Topp XX continued last Sunday in Linden when they were humbled 4-1 by the Army to make it 3 defeats from as many matches.
A Kings’ win will assure them of a place in the top four KO set for next year February as a precursor to the restart of the League, but a defeat will ground them to 4 points and give Topp XX their first points.