Rastas/Baldheads battle to stalemate

Even a penalty shoot-out could not decide the better team in the Rastafari Patriarchs vs ‘Baldhead’ Masters over-40 football grudge-match at the Georgetown Football Club (GFC) ground Sunday night.

Both teams played to 2-2 draw at the end of the regulation 90 minutes but the referee decided to abandon extra-time opting to go immediately to the penalty shoot-out which yielded a 4-4 result.

Following the shoot-out, Promoter Allan `Ball’ La Rose of ‘I’ Movement promotions took the decision to split the prize money between the two teams and set up a re-match at a date to be announced later.

The supporting match was, however, a different kettle of fish as Georgetown ladies’ mauled a combined team 5-0 with goals coming off the boots of Natoya Fraser, Collette Hope, Somola Norton, Andrea Lashley and Charmain Pearson in the 9th, 29th, 36th, 48th and 56th minutes respectively.

The main ingredient, was the match everyone had come to see even though the much promised appearance of Sir Vivian Richards, former West Indies cricket captain failed to materialize.

Richards, who celebrates his birthday today would have been the main star for the Baldheads and in his absence former national player Terrence Archer picked up the gauntlet scoring a goal and providing the assist for the Baldheads second goal.

The lanky Archer, opened the Baldheads’ account in the 16th minute.

A high cross from the left corner of the Regent Road end of the field saw goal-keeper, Sean Jacobs failing to gather cleanly just outside the six-yard box and Archer made no mistake.

Twelve minutes later, Archer delivered a clean cross to Stanford Miller just inside the 18-yard box who carefully placed a flat, powerful shot off his left instep into the left corner of the Regent Road end goal.

The two goals for the Baldheads came off the third and seventh shots for the team in the first half.

The Rastas were on target with their fifth attempt in the 36th minute of the first half of the match. The goal came off a surgical corner kick from defender Terrence Frank which was good enough for an Orin Agard header from inside the six-yard box.

The score at half time was 2-1 in favor of the Baldheads.

Statistics show that the Baldheads were more aggressive in the first half firing eight shots to the goal in comparison to five shots at goal by the Rastafari Patriachs.

The patriarchs, however came out a more purposeful team as the second half began and utility player Deryck Gritten scored the equalizer in the 46th minute with a lofted shot which had enough venom to get past Baldhead goal-keeper, Carey Jacques from just outside the 18-yard box.

With the scores level the Patriachs went on the defensive playing “possession ball” while looking for an opportunity to attack a situation which resulted in a mere three shots being attempted on goal.

The Baldheads, on the other hand, were made to work hard looking for the third goal.

The team matched their first half attempts with another eight shots at goal in the second half but all turned up empty at the end of regulation time.

Archer, Orin Barker, Selwyn Bailey and Joylyn Lewis scored penalties for the Baldheads with midfielder Nicky Thompson spoiling the final attempt for the team.

For the Rastafarians, Vibert `Derdy” Butts, hero of Guyana’s 2-0 win over Suriname some years ago, was the villain on Sunday spoiling the team’s second attempt while Agard, Frank, D. McPherson and Aubrey Adams made their shots.