TWO helmet-tricks, three hat-tricks and a similar number of doubles were recorded on an eventful opening day of the third edition of the East Bank Football Association/Ralph Green Under-11 League, which commenced last Saturday at the New Diamond Grove Primary School ground, East Bank Demerara.

A total of 29 goals were recorded in four of the six scheduled matches with Timehri Panthers posting the biggest win, 11-0 over Samatta Point/Kaneville. In that match, Omar Sam was the second player to net a helmet-trick behind Swan FC captain Anderson Webber who achieved the feat in the very first match of the league which saw Sawn defeat Herstelling Raiders, 6-0.

Sam blasted the fastest goal on the day and league so far, scoring in the 1st, 7th, 17th and 24th minutes. Also in the Timehri v Samatta Point match, hat-tricks were scored by Shaquelle Caleb (2nd, 3rd, 6th) and Keron Williams (8th, 13th, 14th). Jaden Ceres netted the other goal for the Timehri lads in the 11th minute.

Defending champions Agricola Red Triangle and Diamond Upsetters posted wins without kicking a ball as their opponents, Mocha Champs and Kuru Kururu Warriors were no-shows.

Swan, in their first match at this level under the EBFA umbrella, looked a solid unit in disposing Herstelling Raiders, 6-0. Swan, featuring a differently-abled goalkeeper in Kedon Nazir, were led by captain Nazir who was the first player to notch a helmet-trick. He was on target in the 17th, 18th, 20th and 25th minute following the first goal of the league from Teon Lonke in the 12th minute, Ezekiel Reid scoring the other in the 21st minute.

Grove Hi Tech’s Jamal Cordis netted the other hat-trick on the day in his side’s 6-0 triumph over Hauraruni Eagles. He found the back of the net in the 14th, 21st and 22nd minutes. Teammate Jevon Pluck struck a brace, in the 3rd and 12th minutes with the other coming off the boot of Akeem Evans in the 17th minute.

Diamond United battled back from a goal down to draw with Friendship All Stars 3-3. Tyresse Tuesdee netted in the 7th minute for Friendship but one minute later, Diamond United’s Iouson De Silva equalised.

Friendship were back in front in the 13th minute through a Lloyd Barker goal which was again cancelled out by Da Silva’s second goal in the 14th minute. Barker scored an own goal in the 23rd minute but netted his second legal goal one minute later to ensure a draw in the exciting encounter.

Matches will continue on Saturday at the same venue from 09:00hrs.