THE newly formed national Under-21 male hockey team chalked up their first victory as a team when they trounced the Airbenders 4-0 on Monday afternoon when action in the Guyana Hockey Board (GHB)-organised, John Fernandes Insurance Service (JFIS)-sponsored second division tournament continued at the Georgetown Cricket Club ground.
Midfielder Leon Bacchus was the primary marksman for the Under-21, scoring the first two goals of the match in the 9th and 19th minutes. 
After a swift counterattack down the left wing, the ball was swung to unmarked striker Mortimer Stewart in the circle who easily laid the ball in the path of Bacchus for his first goal, while his second goal came from a brilliant solo effort along the baseline before cutting across the goalmouth to slip his shot past goalkeeper Jonelle Webster’s outstretched legs.
Despite the two-goal deficit, the Airbenders still seemed in contention and enjoyed more possession than the score suggested, but their inability to transfer deep build-ups in the attacking third made them vulnerable to the counterattack of the swift Under-21 team.
Stewart would add a goal to his earlier assist when he latched onto a through pass to blast home his shot ten minutes into the second half, before skipper Shaquille Assanah added his name to the score sheet with a powerful penalty corner strike to complete the win for his team.
The tournament is scheduled to continue with matches on the Banks ground, Thirst Park, this Saturday, where the Under-21 take on the All-stars at 14:30hrs and Old Fort meet the Airbenders at 16:00hrs. 
Hockey action will also continue in the GHB/Farfan and Mendes first division league, with GCC playing the Hikers on Friday from 16:30hrs at the GCC ground Bourda.