By Joe Chapman
THE Upper Demerara Football Association’s (UDFA’s) ‘Return To Play’ Senior League got underway with enterprising wins for Coomacka and Eagles United last Sunday night, at the Mackenzie Sports Club.

The event commenced following the march past which had eleven of the thirteen clubs participating.

In the first game Coomacka FC, led by a brace from Wheatland Thom, dismissed the feeble challenge posed by Kwakwani Strikers. In the 19th minute Cassie Campbell opened the scoring for Coomacka with a sturdy header from a corner dispatched by Lionel Paul.

That lead would double for Coomacka FC when a cross was also placed into the back of the net from a head-shot by lanky striker, Shaquille Frank, in the 30th minute; the first half ended 2-0 in favour of the boys from the Mines.

Two minutes after play resumed Wheatland Thom sent the Mines community team further head, collecting a through pass in the middle from teammate Campbell and planting it past the hapless Kwakwani goalkeeper.

As the Coomacka boys kept up the pressure Thom got his second goal in the 56th minute with a shot from on top the 18 yards box for the eventual 4-0 win.

Game two of the evening started in dramatic fashion as Hi Stars surprisingly went ahead in the 2nd minute from a close range shot from Osapho Ross, who connected from a rebound.

That shocked the defending league champions, Eagles United, who, however, kept their composure.

Playing themselves back into the game the Eagles side would knot the scores through forward Kendolph Lewis’ header in the 20th minute from a left side cross.

But the exuberance of Hi Stars remained and, this time, through Jermaine King, would cause more excitement for fans when he scored to send the West Watooka community side again into the lead in the 30th minute.

However, the reigning league title holders Eagles United would have none of it, and, from a squared ball, Deon Carter would find the back of the net in the 42nd minute to draw level for a second time.

Eagles United would gain the lead at the stroke of half time through the alert Colwyn Drakes who was there to tuck the ball past the keeper after a fumble to ensure the half ended 3-2.

Both sides continued to battle for control in the second half but it was the experienced Eagles United, who would display better ball control and would increase the lead through Drakes.

He was fed the ball by Donovan Francis and with a fine placement finished the play in the 72nd minute; that would be the final goal of the game as Eagles United opened their defence of their league title with a 4-2 win.

Among those in attendance were Mayor of Linden, Ms. Waneka Arrendell, UDFA President Wainwright Bethune and Guyana Football Federation Technical Director (ag.) Bryan Joseph.

The competition will continue on Friday night with two more matches in the UDFA ‘Return To Play’ Senior League championship at the Mackenzie Sports Club ground.