By Elroy Stephney

A LARGE and vociferous gathering witnessed quite an enthralling match in the latest round of the Essequibo Coast and Pomeroon Football Association-sponsored round-robin competition.

Playing on Thursday at the Anna Regina Community Centre (ARCC) ground, Henrietta United FC fought gallantly to register a 3-1 victory against Mainstay All-Stars. The game started off slowly as both teams played defensively, choosing to be safe instead of taking risks.

It was Henrietta United, though, whose superior ball possession and passing that made the difference between the two teams.
The shackles were then broken in the 38th minute when skipper Christopher Livan secured an accurate pass on the left wing and blasted his first of two goals from just outside the box. It was the only breakthrough as the tussle continued until halftime.

When play resumed, a more aggressive approach was taken by both teams. Shots were then fired regularly to keep the goalkeepers busy. Some shots were also spectacularly saved, much to the appreciation of the cheering spectators.
Then in the 65th minute the skilful and consistent Sheldon Pitt sent his team 2-nil up with a sweetly-timed long range shot that flew past the diving goalkeeper.

Not to be outdone, Mainstay All-Stars kept their momentum flowing and were rewarded when Sherwin Williams netted in the 76th minute to keep his team’s chances alive for a come-from-behind win. The game thereon ebbed and flowed with both teams recording close chances.

However, it was the captain Christopher Livan again on the score sheet when he was fouled in the penalty box and the referee awarded a penalty shoot in the 84th minute. Scoring seemed inevitable as Livan tapped the ball into the far right of the net to record a double and seal his team’s 3-1 margin victory.

Meanwhile the competition will continue this weekend with Henrietta United facing Aurora FC at the ARCC ground in the lone fixture.