Western Tigers, Riddim Squad reach Futsal semis

Western Tigers and Riddim Squad FC sealed their berth to the semi-final stage, defeating Beacons FC and Black Water FC respectively when the quarterfinal round of the Georgetown Football Association (GFA) Stag Beer Futsal tourney continued on Tuesday.

Played at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall on Homestretch Avenue, Western Tigers laboured before getting past Beacons 3-0 while Riddim Squad was too in sync for Black Water, crushing them by a 6-1 margin.

In the feature contest between Western Tigers and Beacons, Randolph Wagner opened the scoring for the winners’ compliments of sublime 18th minute strike. Held at bay for the entire first half, Wagner would unleash a powerfully struck right footed strike from the left side of the field that cannoned off the crossbar and dropped into the back of the net. Joshua Britton would then make an impact after coming off the bench as he increased their lead in the 28th minute with a first time finish to left side of the goal, after collecting a left side pass within the right side of the penalty box. Wagner’s double one minute later would then complete the win for the West Ruimveldt heavyweights, the player driving his flat right footed attempt down the centre of the goal after cutting across the middle of the box from the left side.

With the win, Western Tigers will now await the victor of the Fruta Conquerors and Alpha United matchup.

Meanwhile, in the opening match, Riddim Squad got off to the perfect start in the second minute as Amos Ramsay netted with a simple finish to the lower left hand corner, after pouncing on an initial right side strike across the goal-area.

He would then net his second goal of the night to make it 2-0 five minutes onward, deflecting the ball into the back of the net with his thigh, after he came into contact with a left side strike within the centre of the box.

Black Water would then find themselves three goals down in the ninth minute as custodian Dorville Stewart scored through a freekick attempt just outside the left half of the box, which went straight the defensive wall and into the middle of the net.

Amos Ramsay of Riddim Squad (no.10) celebrates after scoring his side’s second goal of the match while the Black Water players search for answers
Amos Ramsay of Riddim Squad (no.10) celebrates after scoring his side’s second goal of the match while the Black Water players search for answers

The sounding of the second period would do little to change the fortunes of the East Ruimveldt side as Teon Jones netted in the 18th minute, stabbing his effort down the middle of the goal after taking a slight deflection off a defender, following a goal-mouth scramble within the box. Black Water would eventually register their only goal of the night in the 23rd minute through a Colin Peters first time right footed finish down the middle of the goal, following a deflection off the crossbar.

The goals would continue to rain for the Mocha-based side as Sceyon Hope scored in the 24th minute, flicking the ball over the head of the onrushing defender within the left side of the area before hammering a ferocious volley into the top right hand corner. The matchup would then end as it began with Ramsay netting one minute later, sealing his hat-trick through a cheeky chested attempt into the right hand corner, after collecting a left side cross. Riddim Squad now awaits the winner of the Santos and Pele affair. In the earlier exhibition games, Prestige Barbershop defeated the Media 5-3 while Customs crushed Upper Level Barbershop 3-0.

The final exhibition fixture of the night witnessed Sparta Domino Club humbling Mix-Up Domino Club 5-1. The quarterfinal round is set to continue today at the same venue with two remaining fixtures.

Santos FC will battle arch-rivals Pele FC in the opening quarterfinal while Alpha United will oppose defending champs Fruta Conquerors in the feature quarterfinal matchup.

Three exhibition matchups are also scheduled for the evening. In the opening ladies affair, Little Diva Flames will faceoff with the GFA All-Stars while the Referees will oppose the Media in a longstanding grudge match. In the final exhibition showdown, Rasta’s will tackle the Baldheads.