….record emphatic wins over Berbice teams

Guyana Police Force (GPF) mauled Rosignol United 13-2, the biggest margin of victory to date, while Riddim Squad found good rhythm in disposing of another Berbice unit, Cougars 5-2 when round-of-16 play in the STAG Nations Cup knock-out football competition was played on Saturday night last at the #5 ground, West Coast Berbice.On a windy and damp night, none of the Berbice teams were able to fire and were sent packing from the competition,with only New Amsterdam United of the four left standing.

Both the GPF and the Mocha, East Bank Demerara based Riddim Squad have booked their respective quarter finals in the tournament that is featuring clubs from five associations affiliated to the Guyana Football Federation which has sanctioned the tournament.

It was evident from the first whistle of the night in both matches that the home teams would be in for a torrid time against more well-oiled units from Georgetown. GPF wasted little time in asserting their presence; by the end of the first half they were already in the ascendancy 7-2.

Despite drawing first blood with a goal in the 8th minute through Oswin Carmichael, Rosignol looked out of sorts against the lawmen who did not spare their opponents as they made their presence felt as one of the favourite teams aiming to take home the top prize of $2 M.

The GPF was gifted the equaliser in the 11th minute when Rosignol’s Keenon Rajgopaul scored against his team. Three minutes later, Kester Dundas nudged home the go ahead goal for the GPF which further increased the advantage when Quinsen Holder blasted the first of his hat-trick.

Trying their best in this early stage of the match to keep close to the GPF, Calvin Mc Kenzie netted Rosignol’s second goal of the match with the score 3-2 in favour of the visitors;and even up to that point, the home fans felt that their countrymen would have toughed it out with the GPF.

However, that was the last time they {Rosignol} were able to enjoy the delight of scoring as they were relegated to closely guarded invisible cells for the remainder of the match, much to the disappointment of the fans.

It was all the GPF for the remainder of the match. Atto Wallace scored in the 26th minute and Junior Gordon in the 30th before Holder completed his three with back-to-back strikes in the 43rd and 44th minute.

The other players to score were Dwayne Charles (47), Jermaine Castello (70), Grayson Barker 68, 84), Jermaine Grandison (90) and Rawle Turnell (90+2).

The opening game was all Riddim Squad,who thumped a young Cougars, 5-2. To their credit, Cougars looked a very competitive side in the first half as they matched Riddim Squad play-for-play in a fast- paced game.

Despite trailing by one goal, 1-2 at the half way mark, most felt that the second stanza of the match would have been fiercely contested but the lack of high-level competition finally put paid to the Cougars chances of getting past Riddm Squad.

Riddim Squad scorers were Kevin Gordon (21min), Sceyon Hope (25 min), Dellon John (62min), Kevin Agard (79min), Teon Jones (90+3min). On target for Cougars were Trevon Hazel (40min) and Devon James (71 min).

Two more round-of-16 matches are set for the Leonora Track and field Facility on Wednesday night when West Demerara’s Uitvlugt Warriors and Pouderoyen will be hosting Northern Rangers and Mahaica Determinators at 18:00hrs and 20:00hrs, respectively.