WOODPECKER Hikers managed a 1-1 draw against the GCC Spartans in their first round clash and would have entered Saturday afternoon’s second round clash brimming with confidence.
The match proved to be more difficult than expected for the Hikers but despite several close chances and near misses, the Hikers defence, including goalkeeper Jessica Mittleholtzer who put in a stellar performance, managed to keep Spartans scoreless for the entire first half.
The second half saw more aggression from the Hikers but their high pressure game seem to backfire somewhat.In the 37th minute the Spartans executed a swift counterattack that caught the Hikers defence out of position,allowing Sandy Roopnarine to score the game’s first goal.
The goal by the underdogs sparked new life into the match and the Hikers would be justly rewarded six minutes later through Marisha Fernandes who,after a left side build-up,found Tekeisha Deleon in the circle and scored with a well-placed shot.
The game ended in a 1-1 draw,giving the Spartans their first point of the competition and edging the second-placed Hikers slowly toward pool leaders Pizza Hut GCC. Matches continued yesterday with the Pizza Hut GCC slated to take on the Old Fort Shooting Stars at 16.30hrs at Saints ground.