… Close games in quarter-final action

CLOSE contests were the order of the evening as the quarter-finals of the GT Beer/Limacol Limacol 2017 Round-Robin Knock-out Football tournament concluded in Linden and at Victoria, East Coast Demerara.

In Linden, it was nip and tuck when Western Tigers edged Milerock FC 1-0. The Georgetown-based side brought the game to the Lindeners and were rewarded when Joshua Britton found the back of the net in the 57th minute.
However, it was by no means over as Milerock seemed to put ‘pep’ into their steps and became fiercer in their thirst to equalise; coming as close as the post in a last-ditch effort on the edge of time.

However, the final blasts on the whistle ensured the score line remained unchanged.
Game two was a physical contest between the veterans Federal Winners Connection (WC) and Eagles United, with the former winning 1-0 as well.
Eagles started the game in fine style, weathering the physical style of the WC team and producing dazzling runs of their own, but the finishing in the final third lacked bite; with their players juggling their efforts at the goalmouth.
While their defence was almost flawless, the centre backs let Rene Gibbons through just once and he made them pay the ultimate price, punching the ball past the flailing arms of the goalkeeper.
Eagles continued on with the possession game, but could not find that decisive strike; their mid-field produced the goods that seemed not to translate to the final third.
In the other round of games at the Victoria Ground, the Police Force through Dwain Jacobs (5th) and Quincy Holder (12th) overpowered Den Amstel for their 2-1 win, and a spot in the semi-finals.
Kester Jacobs (3rd) minute strike was enough to give the West Coast Demerara side the lead, albeit brief.
Almost the same plot played out in game two, where Santos came from behind to win against Mahaica Determinators 2-1.
Eion Abel’s 4th minute strike was cancelled out through Dominique Bobb-(45th+3) stunner, with that crucial goal setting the stage for the decisive strike in the 77th from Orin Yarde to take the game away from the home side.
In the semi-finals billed for the GFC on Friday, Winners Connection will battle the Boys in Blue while Santos will have the chance to meet Western Tigers.