Western Tigers railroad New Amsterdam; Santos held by Ann’s Grove

WESTERN Tigers completed their first win of the 2017 Limacol round-robin knock-out football tournament on Thursday evening at the GFC ground while Santos FC were held to a draw with their Ann’s Grove counterparts.In the opening fixture of the evening, the Western side took the lead in the third minute through a New Amsterdam United own goal and doubled it six minutes later through a Joshua Britton strike.
It seemed open and shut for the Georgetown-based side after this, with several more chances coming their way but they failed to capitalise on them.
However, their opponents from the Ancient County pulled one back, thanks to Quinn Hazel. That strike gave the side a renewed vigour to get back into the matchup.
However, the half and by extension the game ended 2-1 in favour of Western Tigers.
In the second game of the night, Ann’s Grove took the fight to the larger, more favoured Santos side, playing a faster brand of football which oftentimes overwhelmed their opponents.
More than enough chances came through the first 15 minutes of the game for the East Coast side but they failed to capitalise in the final third.
Their opponents, on the other hand, seemed to be getting into their stride as the half rumbled on, producing several counter-attacking chances but not having that clinical touch in the final third.
Upon the resumption of the second half, the Ann’s Grove side continued to put the pressure on the Georgetown-based side but their attacks fizzled out as the game wore on.
Santos eventually took the lead midway through the second as Keith Caines’ 66th minute strike found the net to send the side up 1-0.
Heading for victory and with the clock counting down, Santos only had themselves to blame when they conceded an own goal in the 90+1 which saw them draw the game.
Action continued last night at the Leonora Stadium with another double-header as Uitvlugt took on Eagles United and Pouderoyen played Den Amstel.
Meanwhile, the organisers have announced a venue shift for tonight’s game due to the unavailability of the Mackenzie Sports Club ground. Matches will now be played at the GFC.
Winners Connection will take on Grove Hi-Tech while Milerock play Northern Rangers.
The winners of the tournament will take home $500 000 and a trophy while the second-, third- and fourth-placed teams will receive $250 000, $125 000 and $75 000 respectively.
Additionally, the winners of each group will receive $100 000 while the respective finishers will pocket $50 000, $30 000 and $20 000.