A long-range shot from national U-17 utility player, Jeremy Garrett which gave Fruta Conquerors the early initiative, turned out to be the game’s decider in last Friday night’s semi- final action against Devcon Victoria Kings in the GFF/Stag Elite League Leaders 4-team competition.
The game which was played under soggy and heavy conditions at the Victoria ground was intense and physical after the go-ahead goal, with the home side in search of the equalizer that was never found.
Garrette’s golden strike came in the 5th minute of play as he grasped the opportunity with a rasping right-booter from about 35 meters down the middle out. The velocity of the ball caught goalkeeper Ron Hamilton by surprise as he was beaten just to his outstretched right hand.
The home side applied relentless pressure in the second period but the Conquerors’ defense, inspired by excellent saves from captain and goalkeeper, Derek Carter,nullified all attempts.
As the minutes ticked away the battle became more intense and the home side resorted to physical play that resulted in defenders Sherlock Dowden and Sherwin Skeete being sent off by referee Sherwin Johnson in the dying moments of the game.
The Kings had no fewer than a dozen corner kicks, but Aubrey Gibson, Alden Lawrence,and company could not find a way to breach the citadel of Carter who was outstanding all night. The win sets up another meeting with the Army who won the last encounter last Sunday by a 2-1 margin, but today the championship and $1.5MGY will be at stake.
Meanwhile, the semi-finals of the GFF’s Women’s Development League had to be postponed due to the wet conditions of the pitch at Victoria last Friday