Grove battle back to earn exciting draw against Agricola; Timehri win big, top four close

YESTERDAY’S feature match between the top two teams produced an exciting 3-3 draw between Grove Hi Tech and Agricola.
Grove, battling back from three goals down earned an equal share of the points which enabled them to maintain their slim single-digit lead over the Agricola lads who are one/two at the top.

It was day six action in the 3rd Annual East Bank Football Association (EBFA)/Ralph Green-sponsored Under-11 League being contested at the Diamond Community Centre ground, East Bank Demerara.
Recording the biggest win on the day were Timehri Panthers who trounced a determined Herstelling Raiders 8-3, while Mocha Champs stormed to their second win in as many matches via a 3-0 margin over Friendship All Stars.

Diamond United ensured that they earned an equal share of the points against Diamond Upsetters, coming back from a goal down to draw. Swan FC, one of the three teams yet to taste defeat, maintained that record when they earned full points from their neighbours Kuru Kururu Warriors who did not show up.
Pocketing full points via the same margin were Samatta Point/Kaneville from Haurarruni Eagles. Both Swan and Samatta Point pocketed their three points along with two goals apiece.

By the 10th minute of the main event, Agricola were already 3-0 up against Grove thanks to goals from Mikel Morris in the 2nd minute, Seon Grant in the 5th and captain Jonathan Andries with a beautiful left-foot shot in the 10th minute.
Not deterred or fazed by the Agricola dash out of the blocks, Grove gradually grooved back into contention. On 11 minutes Jevon Pluck did pluck one out of nowhere to narrow the deficit and just before the halftime break, Jamal Cordis’ strike further reduced the Agricola advantage in the 13th minute.

The second half saw some resolute exchanges between the top sides and the only goal that materialised in the half came from Grove through Joshua Fredericks in the 21st minute to tie the score at 3-3 which ended up being the final score.
Timehri Panthers, the best offensive team in the league which also have the best goal difference of +26 was in dismissive form in their clash against Herstelling Raiders whp, despite the loss fought back admirably.

Hat-tricks from captain Omar Sam (1st, 10th, 19th) and Keron Williams (4th, 8th, 9th) led Timehri, with Shaquelle Caleb (2nd) and Jaden Tasher in the 20th complementing their teammates.

Malcolm Hendricks with a double (13th and 26th) and Seon Carmichael in the 17th netted for Herstelling who put in a spirited performance despite the loss. Mocha Champs, after giving up a number of walkovers have finally found the zest to compete and have recorded their second win in as many matches; a solid 3-0 triumph over Friendship All Stars.
Carving out the win was Matthew Murray with a brace in the 9th and 26th minutes, Matthew Forte contributing the other in the 14th minute. And Diamond United came back from trailing Diamond Upsetters to draw yesterday’s opening match.

United struck back through Paul McKenzie in the 24th minute, Upsetters had taken the lead in the 10th minute through a Timothy Ageday goal.
Matches will continue on Saturday at the same venue. The EBFA will be pushing to conclude the league early during the school holiday period with each team set to play 11 matches.

Latest as at December 1st, 2018