AS the BV/Triumph 8th of May Movement Village Anniversary Celebration activities continue, Sideline emerged winners over Backdam in the 2018 Inter-Block soccer competition.

The match which was played under floodlights at the BV/Triumph Community Centre ground was a highly competitive match between the two teams and was witnessed by a large crowd from the villages of Beterverwagting and Triumph, as well as neighbouring villages.

Sideline and Backdam have a rich history of fierce, but fair rivalry in a variety of sport disciplines, with soccer being the main feature.

The match which was very intense throughout, saw striker Tyrice Dennis usher in the first goal with a right-foot whirling kick from approximately 35 yards out from the goal on the right wing. Dennis’ server- whirl-kick hit the upper right corner of the net, leaving Backdam’s goalkeeper stranded in the middle of the goal with no chance of saving.

The striker’s high quality goal further excited the already upbeat Sideline supporters and sent the large Backdam followers into a momentary, stunning silence. As if to rub into the wounds of the Backdam supporters, Dennis celebrated his fantastic goal by running and sliding chest down as his teammates compulsively swoop over him.

With Sideline completing the first half 1-0, Backdam were keen to bounce back in the second half. However, in the 65th minute, Sideline’s Jerome Robinson took a cross which came from the right wing, as he lurked just left of the centre of the goal, to produce a beauty that pierced the net, just right of the wedged Backdam’s goalkeeper.

It was Sideline’s second goal of the evening, and the statement of 2-0, coupled with the clock rapidly approaching 22:00hrs, the course of the night’s events seemed a bit too much for the Backdam supporters, as scores of them trickled through the gate in frustration.

Nevertheless, it was young Ian Dooker’s courageous effort that put some respectability to the Backdam block, as he, having received a pass, worked his way through the Sideline’s defence to give an astonishing solid right kick to bore the Sideline’s goalkeeper to the far right of the net and register Backdam’s first goal of the evening.

However, it was to be Backdam’s only goal, as with 11 minutes remaining and what seemed like an uphill task for an equaliser, especially in light of Sideline’s never-relenting defensive attitude, the referee closed the curtain on the 90-minute action at 22:18hrs, to record Sideline’s 2-1 victory over Backdam.

The BV/Triumph 8th of May Movement senior soccer tournament continues under floodlights today at the Beterverwagting Community Centre ground from 18:00hrs. The first game will feature Sideline opposing Ogle Street, while in the second match Central will engage Backdam.