By Elroy Stephney
FOLLOWING another convincing victory last Sunday against Good Hope SC at the Anna Regina Community Centre ground, Henrietta United SC, sponsored by R. H. Khan Auto Spares, have now taken an unassailable lead in the senior league football competition, sponsored by the Essequibo Coast and Pomeroon Football Association (ECPFA).A fair-sized crowd saw favourites Henrietta United hammer Good Hope FC 5-1.

As early as the 10th minute, the scoring was on the wall as Devon Romeo found the back of the net for the hosts. Good Hope fought back immediately though when Khalid Thomas gained a penalty and scored for the visitors in the 16th minute.Thereafter the game was impressively controlled by the hosts as they held their composure and dominated. Striker Michael Hendricks pierced the net in the 29th and 52nd minutes to be the top scorer for Henrietta United while his team mates captain Christopher Livan joined the list in the 80th and Sheldon Pitt in the 88th minute to register a comprehensive 5-1 win for the home team. Meanwhile, Charity Extreme and Mainstay Gold Star played to an exciting 4-4 draw on Saturday at the same venue.

The game was keenly contested with both teams trading shots and playing attacking football. Five goals were scored in the first half.Mainstay Gold Star opened the scoring as Randy Dejonge smartly found the corner of the net in the 18th minute with a neat pass that eluded the diving keeper.He proved unstoppable and again was on the scoring sheet in the 25th minute with another spectacular goal. Not to be outdone, Charity Extreme found their momentum and rebounded with their first goal coming from the boot of Dexter DeCosta in the 30th minute.

In the 37th minute it was Charity again when Alonzo Abrams accurately found the net.At 2-2 Mainstay took the lead in the 43rd minute when Andy Atkinson scored to give his team the advantage at halftime. When play resumed there was no reprieve as Mainstay Gold Star continued to shine and sought to press home the advantage. Shots were fired from all angles from both teams although about 18 minutes had elapsed without another goal. However, in the 65th minute Joseph Atkinson of Mainstay broke the shackles when he scored much to the delight of the supporting fans.

But they were quickly stunned as Charity Extreme stormed back from the boot of Seth Rebeiro who pierced the net in the 73rd minute to make the score line 4-3. Charity Extreme then went for broke as the players found their renewed energy during the dying stages of the game. It paid off as Hyde Williams had the last opportunity and scored in the 89th minute to seal an astonishing draw that left the spectators in frenzy. The competition continues this weekend with matches scheduled for Saturday and Sunday at various venues along the Essequibo Coast.