… Soesdyke Falcons hammer Diamond United 13-2 to book semi-final berth

HAT-TRICKS from Mark Barker and Tyrone Khan, along with a double from Nickozie Hope, guided Soesdyke Falcons to an emphatic 13-2 triumph over Diamond United and a place in the semi-finals of the GFF/KFC U-20 Independence Cup, East Bank Football Association leg.
All the action unfolded yesterday afternoon as the match was the feature of a double-header when the GFF/EBFA Senior League was unveiled.

The young Falcons, many of whom will be turning out for the senior unit, were in a no-nonsense mood and scored on the first run down after the opening whistle, Barker finishing after being set the ball by Khan in the 1st minute.

Barker followed up with goals in the 65th and 83rd minutes. Khan, a quick and nippy forward was a tormentor of the United’s defence throughout the encounter and on many occasions rather than finish on his own, would set up his colleagues to score.

But he banged in three of his own in the 11th, 58th and 65th minutes to cement his side’s place in the semis. Hope was on target for his double in the 40th and 82nd minutes while one each was scored by Kevin Sobers in the 6th, Junior Williams (18th), Malachi Leacock (45), Raymond Khan (50th) and Chaim Paton (85th).

Diamond United, who featured a number of U-15 players, together with coach Orein Angoy said they are preparing for the U-15 and U-17 leagues. They were no pushovers and fought back admirably in spurts. They got consolation goals in the 64th and 69th minutes from Carlos Wilkie and Jaheem Small.

The three teams now in the semi-finals are Soesdyke Falcons, Timehri Panthers and Grove Hi Tech. A draw would be done and one team would be gifted a place in the final while the other two would battle it out in the lone semi-final this Saturday.