‘Linden’ and East Coast equally emphatic on Opening Day

UPPER Demerara and East Coast academy both recorded 4-1 victories in their opening matches of yesterday’s opening round of play in the National Milling Company (Namilco) Thunderbolt ‘Flour Power’ under-17 National Academy Playoffs.

This tournament is serving as the culmination of the intra-association tournaments that were hosted earlier in the year, and teams are anxious to prove that they are the Best of the Best.

East Coast clashed with East Bank in the first match of the Playoffs, but after full-time, Herbert McPherson prevailed over Coach Devnon Winter in an eventually comfortable come-from-behind win, thanks to goals from Isiah Alphonso in the 28th minute, Kobie Benjamin (42nd minute), Byron Wharton (46th minute), and Travis Williams in the 71st minute. Ian Daniels gave East Bank the early after just 11 minutes of play.

In brief remarks with Chronicle Sport, McPherson gave thanks to his support staff, and credited his players for staying calm and sticking to the game-plan despite falling behind early. He hinted that like their under-13 team that were massively successful in the Tiger Rental competition, East Coast is here again to dominate everyone.

Meanwhile, in the feature game of the day, Keishan Leacock’s brace (70th & 85th), along with Kamar McClaren’s opener in the 36th minute and Kymani Sealey’s equaliser in the 61st minute, helped Upper Demerara to a boastful victory over West Demerara. West Side’s lone goal was from Shekeel King in the 53rd minute. (Calvin Chapman)