By Calvin Roberts
The Plaisance Community Centre Ground will certainly be a buzz of activity tonight when the semi-finals of the Ansa Mc Al-sponsored Bakewell Buxton United Football Club organized Sweet 16 competition kicks off from 7pm.
In the first encounter, Guyana Defence Force will be looking to maintain their fine form they have displayed not only in this competition but also the Georgetown Football Association (GFA) Cellink Plus Premier League competition when they oppose former Georgetown powerhouse Western Tigers.
The Army Boys will be depending heavily on the services of striker Stellon David who will be receiving strong support from Warren Gilkes, national midfielder Dwight Peters and their captain Delroy Harris. The ever reliable Keith Fraser will be doing duties between the uprights for the Army Boys in this encounter and will be strongly tested by a Western Tigers lineup that includes Devon Millington, Paul Giles and Edison Gomes up front.
In the defence, their long serving captain Dellon Fraser is no easy push-over and along with national under-23 defensive stalwart Sherman David and Rolex Scott doing duties between the uprights, it would be premature to select a winner in this encounter.
In the second semi-final, upstarts Plaisance United must be fancying their chances of advancing to the final following their upset penalty kicks victory over tournament hosts Bakewell Buxton United in their quarterfinal match-up when they take on Sunburst Camptown from 8pm.
To this extent they will be expecting some more robust play from their stalwart midfielder Dunstan Heyliger who has been having a wonderful time in this competition to date along with captain Kerwin Bacchus.
Camptown should not find it too difficult to get past their lesser known opponents. However, they would be hoping for an improved performance following their last Premier League match-up against Uprising where despite the fact they came out on top, their midfield needed to string together more passes.
To this effect, president and coach Troy Mendonca would be looking to Kwame La Fleur, Troy Prescod, Lance Ralston, Orlando Gilgeous and Dexter Mollyneaux to carry the attack to the home-based team who will be boosted by vociferous crowd support behind them.
Prior to the semi-finals kicking off, an exhibition match-up featuring teams from Sweetpoint and YMCA will kick off at 6pm.
