Georgetown Cricket Club men’s second division team signalled its intention of repeating their dominance of last year when they scored a 3-1 win over Old Fort in the opening match of the John Fernandes Insurance second division men’s hockey league played Monday at Bourda.
Both teams started tentatively and were clearly shy of game practice which was evident by the many unforced turnovers but better possession and opportunities were made after the first ten minutes passed.
GCC took the lead in the 23rd minute of play when Shaka Gill blasted home a shot into the near corner off a rebound from Shad Fernandes.
With Old Fort looking mostly for the long ball to roaming centre forward Robert Hussein in the second half, full back Marcus Fiedtkou was flawless in covering the lanes for GCC and kept the challengers at bay.
GCC extended their lead in the 35th minute as Gill once again eliminated two defenders on the right before sending his pass to the far post for a first-time sweep by Trevon Smith.
Centre forward Stuart Gonsalves pushed the Bourda side further into the lead making it 3-0 four minutes later when he latched onto the end of a long pass and lifted the ball past M. Smith in goal with a delicate reverse flick.
Former national Chris Low-Koan salvaged some pride for Old Fort by hammering in a goal in the far post of a penalty corner in the 43rd minute.
The tournament continues with matches tomorrow and Friday at Bourda.
Eight teams are competing in the JFI league – they are GCC, Old Fort, Everest, Western Dragons, Police, Carib Degenerates and for the first time female entrants GCC Tigers and Everest Divas.
