An Aroydy Branford second half brace secured Guyana their first win in the Pan American Junior Hockey Championships, overcoming Puerto Rico 4-2 to clinch the seventh position yesterday at the University of Toronto Facility in Canada.
With the score locked 2-2 heading into the final 15 minutes, Brandford made his presence felt, handing Guyana the lead with a penalty corner conversion in the 63rd minute. The fixture was then put beyond the reach of Puerto Ricans as Branford sealed his second with 65th minute strike.
Due to the result, Guyana claim the seventh position while the losers secure the eighth place. Entering the contest on the back of five defeats, the Guyanese found themselves behind early as Jesus Hill-Stewart found the back of the net in the fourth minute. Similar to their previous fixture, Guyana battled back to level the contest in the form of Andrew Stewart four minutes later.
Hilton Chester then gave the Guyanese the lead as he found the back of the net in the 51st minute after the first period ended 1-1. However Guyana’s lead was short-lived as Eddie Rios Fuentes leveled proceedings in the 54th minute, in the process setting up a thrilling end.
