Rockers crush Blueberry Hill 5-1, Winners Connection overcome Topp XX, 2-1

By Joe Chapman

TOP-ranked Net Rockers continued their impressive showing in the Upper Demerara Association’s GT Beer Christmas football championship with another dominant display, this time brushing aside the challenge of Blueberry Hill 5-1, while Winners Connection held off Topp XX as the tournament continued Friday night at the Mackenzie Sports Club ground.

The Rockers got an early goal which developed from a play on the right side by Shane Luckie to Hussain Cumberbatch who volleyed home in the second minute for a 1-0 advantage.

Hussain Cumberbatch then doubled the score in the 21st minute for his second goal, 2-0, then Shane Luckie sent his team up 3-0, heading home his first of the night in the 37th minute.
In the 40th minute, Denzil Pryce got into the fray of things and scored from a Cumberbatch cross making it 4-0 which they enjoyed up to the halfway stage of the encounter.
After play resumed the Rockers’ defence lapsed and Blueberry Hill’s Royston Fraser penetrated to get a close-up shot that scored in the 54th minute, 4-1.

However, the Rockers continued their aggressive play and when Shane Luckie was fouled in the box, his penalty made it 5-1 for the team from the Wismar to move into the semifinals.
Game two was competitive with Winners Connection and Topp XX battling for supremacy. Winners Connection took the lead through a penalty which was awarded, after Carlos Grant, going down the right side, hit a cross.

The ball seemingly deflected from the defender’s foot to his hand and was adjudged a penalty in the 27th minute and Arnold David made it a 1-0 score for the Connection. But Newel Murphy levelled the scores in the 39th minute to bring the game back on an even keel; the first half ended 1-1.

Carlos Grant then propelled his team again into the lead with a close-up tap-in in the 50th minute and that score remained to the end as the Winners Connection moved safely into the semifinals. Topp XX still have a chance though to reach the final four when they play on Boxing Night against the defending champions Eagles United.