Testing the format first at the MSC Ground was an exhibition game between the Kashif and Shanghai Champions BK Western Tigers and the Guyana Defence Force which played to a 2-2 tie at the end of the 40-minutes regulation time. The army boys however prevailed over the Tigers with the penalty shootout ending 2-nil.
Linden team Winners Connection and Peacemakers of Ituni then took to the field for the first game of the competition, and the dominant Ituni side took the lead with two first half goals off the boots of Norville Adrian in the 15th minute and Richard James in the 20th minute. Kurt Murphy then added his name to the record books when he tucked in a low shot past the advancing Winners’ custodian in the 25th minute.
A resurgent Winners Connection team led by Rawle Gittens then upped the ante and pressured the Peacemakers throughout the second half. Gittens fired a double strike in the 30th and 35th minutes to lead the fight back for the Linden side.
With just 20 minutes in the half, time did not allow for the Winners’ equalizer and the match ended 3-2 in favor of the Peacemakers.
In the second match of the double header, Eagles United soared to a 2-0 victory over 2009 UDFA champs Milerock. The burly striker Durk Farrell who was attacking down the left flank wasted no time in netting the first goal in the fifth minute for the Eagles.
Five minutes later the attacking Eagles United continued their good run with the ball, this time it was David Gray who latched on to a well timed pass and placed it in the back of the net. The first half of the game ended with the Eagles ahead.
After the five-minute break Milerock came out with a message to stamp their authority and pressured the Eagles United side which was playing with less control under the soggy conditions caused by rain. The game ended with Milerock enjoying most of the ball possession and shots to the goal but time again was not in their favour.
In an invited comment the President of the Upper Demerara Football Association Dr Joseph Haynes said he was very pleased with the start of the new format of soccer and believed this new initiative would help the various sub-associations to raise funds for their zones.
The games continue tomorrow with a double header at the MSC Gound. In the first match Netrockers will tackle Amelia’s Ward while in the second encounter Topp XX will come up against Blue Berry Hill. The semi-final is set for Thursday and the final will be held on Saturday at the same venue.
