Reigning Georgetown Pre-mier League champions Alpha United endured a tough battle to squeeze past Beacons 2-1 while Uprising nipped Flamingo by a similar score as play continued in the Banks Premium Beer Cup 16-team knockout football tournament Wednesday evening at the Tucville Playfield in La Penitence.
In two of the closest matches to date fans were treated to a high level of football under cloudy skies and blessed by intermittent showers.
But the Alpha United /Beacons clash also exposed the work of two of the country’s top coaches.
Coached by national head coach Wayne Dover, Alpha United familiarly known as “The Hammer” had little chance to pound Beacons who came out fighting although they conceded an early goal.
Peter Parks sent Alpha United, into the lead in the fifth minute of play with a perfect shot. However, Beacons coached by former national player and coach Gordon “Ultimate Warrior” Braithwaite never gave up the fight on Bob Marley Day celebrated on Wednesday as they fought valiantly to equalize.
They were rewarded in the 41st minute of play when Jermaine Bernard found the back of the net for the Beacons side but their celebration was short-lived as Quincy Madramootoo scored the game winner in the 43rd minute.
The second half failed to produce a goal but the encounter was one of the better matches so far in the tournament.
Alpha United, winners of the past two national tournaments including the Kashif and Shanghai Festival have now set up a showdown with Uprising who outlasted Flamingo in their game.
Dexter Bentick had sent Uprising into the lead in the 14th minute with a powerful left foot shot, but Lloyd Barrow equalized for Flamingo two minutes into the second half.
However, former national striker “Sir” Anthony Stanton scored the winning goal in the 67th minute and football fans now await a close battle when the two teams meet on Tuesday evening.
The final set of first matches will be played this evening with new-comers Houston Stars taking on Sunburst Camptown in the first match at 18:00 hours in the feature game of the evening, NAMILCO champions Guyana Defence Force will square off with Georgetown Football Club at 20:00 hours.
The quarter-finals will get cracking next Tuesday and the teams already through are Fruta Conquerors, Santos, Pele, Western Tigers, Alpha United and Uprising.
The tournament is sponsored by local brewery giants Banks DIH limited and organized by the Georgetown Football Association (GFA).
At stake is a first prize of $250,000with the runners-up team securing $125,000, the third place side will take home $75,000 while fourth place will receive $50,000.
