Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’…Darlington strike nets victory for California Square

California Square edged Hope Street-Tiger Bay 5-4 on sudden death kicks after normal time ended 1-1 when the Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ Georgetown Zone continued on Thursday at the Burnham Basketball Court.

Rensford Coleridge opened the scoring for Hope Street in the third minute with a gem of a strike. Stealing the ball just over the half-way line from the final defender, Coleridge would unleash a powerful flat right-footed effort from the right side that settled into the back of the net. Hope Street’s lead would only last for five minutes as Christopher Darlington levelled proceedings for California Square. Cutting in from the left side of the field, Darlington would let loose a screamer of a right-footed strike that caught the defence off-guard as it rocked into the bottom of the net.

In what would develop into a cautious second period, Coleridge almost pushed Hope Street back into the lead in the 16th minute as his right-footed strike from just outside the centre of the penalty area went just wide of the left post. Darlington almost broke the deadlock in the 23rd minute as his long range right-footed strike from the left side of the field was blocked desperately by the final Hope Street defender.

Leopold Street’s Okeene Fraser (second from right) battling to keep possession of the ball sandwiched between two Castello Housing Scheme players.
Leopold Street’s Okeene Fraser (second from right) battling to keep possession of the ball sandwiched between two Castello Housing Scheme players.

With both sides unable to be separated at the conclusion of normal time, a penalty shoot-out was required to determine a winner.

A 4-4 score line however would be produced upon the conclusion of the first round of penalty kicks as both sides were simply clinical from the spot.

Required to kick from the halfway line, Hope Street missed their initial attempt as the ball cannoned off the left upright. Needing a score to seal the win, California Square would prove to be successful from the distance as their kicker buried the attempt with aplomb.

In other results, Globe Yard defeated Albouystown-B 3-1 on penalty kicks following a tied nil-all score line at the end of normal time.

Queen Street-Tiger Bay led by goals from Deon Alfred and Leon Fredericks in the fifth and 19th minutes disposed of Norton Street-East 2-0 while South Ruimveldt edged Kingston 6-5 on sudden death kicks from the halfway line after normal time ended 0-0.

Island All-Stars defeated West Front Road-Gold is Money 1-0 whilst Castello Housing Scheme squeaked past Leopold Street 3-2 on penalty kicks following a 1-1 score line at the end of normal time.

In the final two matchups, Albouystown-A defeated South Sophia 2-0 while East Front Road overcame Cross Street 1-0.

Andrew Murray Jr (second from left) of Albouystown-A in the process of receiving a pass while under pressure from a South Sophia player. (Orlando Charles photo)
Andrew Murray Jr (second from left) of Albouystown-A in the process of receiving a pass while under pressure from a South Sophia player. (Orlando Charles photo)