Capital FC upset Botafago in penalty shootout; Eagles United thump ToppXX 4-0
From left: Capital FC 's Duquan Hercules, goalkeeper Norbert and Andre Mayers
From left: Capital FC 's Duquan Hercules, goalkeeper Norbert and Andre Mayers

By Joe Chapman

Capital FC upset Botafago in sudden-death penalties 6-5, but top-ranked Eagles United flew clear of any hiccups with a 4-2 thumping of Topp XX when the first set of quarter-finals in the Linden Town Week inaugural Linden Mayor’s Cup football championship were played Sunday night at the Mackenzie Sports Club ground.

Playing the first quarter-final game, Botafago took the lead in the 20th minute through Jamal Haynes from a clustered play, but Duquan Hercules would level things when he scored from a free-kick for Capital FC in the 26th minute and when the first period ended, the score was 1-1.

 Entering the second-half, both teams played aggressive football but neither would trouble the score sheet and the game would end 1-1 after regulation play.

Overtime failed to produce a winner since, in the 93rd minute, Capital FC through a Andre Mayers penalty coming off a foul in the box took the lead and were looking good but that was not enough because Botafago were able to knot the scores again, this time in the 104th minute as Antoine Gill fouled after a penalty was awarded from a handled ball by the Capital FC defender and found the back of the net.

The scores remained locked at 2-2 and penalty kicks were needed to seek a winner.

When the five mandatory penalties were taken, both teams netted them and the scores were locked 5-5.

However, as the sudden-death kicks were to be taken, Capital FC made their first shot good and then their goalkeeper Norbert Sansculotte parried out the attempt by the Botafago player to earn their passage to the semifinals after a tense quarterfinal match.

In the second game, Eagles United, led by a brace from Donovan Francis, conquered Topp XX 4-2. Francis first sent Eagles United into the lead in the sixth minute of the game but Topp XX, through Abrahim Brown, would tie things up 1-1 in the 17th minute before Kellon Primo gave the Eagles back the lead 2-1 in the 28th minute.

Eagles United increased that advantage to 3-1 from the boot of Francis in the 48th minute and when Colywn Drakes stretched it to a 4-1 score in the 50th minute, the end result was never in real doubt.

And even though Travis Waterton would score for Topp XX in the 78th minute to make it a 4-2 game, the game eventually ended in favour of the number one ranked Eagles United who will take on Capital FC in one of the semifinals.

However, come Sunday, the other quarterfinal matches will be played with Winners Connection facing Silver Shattas in one game and the other tie is between Net Rockers and Blueberry Hill United.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE :
Facebook
Twitter
WhatsApp

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

All our printed editions are available online
emblem3
Subscribe to the Guyana Chronicle.
Sign up to receive news and updates.
We respect your privacy.