By Calvin Roberts
Topp XX and Fruta Conquerors advanced to the quarter finals as action in the Alpha United organised Carifesta Football extravaganza kicked off Friday night at the Mackenzie Sports Club ground.
Fruta Conquerors took care of the mining town’s Silver Shattas by the odd goal to nil in the first game of the double header, whilst Topp XX defeated the Guyana Defence Force (who choose to experiment for such an important fixture) 2-0.
It was a see-saw affair in the first encounter with both teams trying to gain the initiative against sturdy defence on either side of the field.
Conquerors sent the first threat of the match, a Neville Stanton free-kick from 30 yards out that was tipped over the bar by Shattas’s custodian Clifford Halley.
In the second half, it was Conquerors’ custodian Oswald Cornette’s turn to pull off a save after being called upon by Shattas’ Randy Small.
Small, after receiving a through ball from Jermaine Mc Bean, had made his way into the box, only to find Cornette equal to the task.
Conquerors duly went ahead in the 83rd minute when Lennox Charles placed the ball past an advancing Halley effectively sealing the game for his team and sending the mining town team packing.
In the feature game of the evening, the Army team have only themselves to blame for their loss as their coaching staff started the game against their Linden counterparts Topp XX without four key players in the likes of the energetic custodian Keith Fraser, midfielders Kevin Lewis and Royan Morrison along with Dwayne Fraser.
Even though Topp XX controlled the tempo of the game with the vast improving Marlon Benjamin dictating the game whilst playing in the key position of midfield, GDF still had a sturdy defence leading up to the 15th minute of the game when Sheik Kamal had to make a clearance just from the first post following a shot from Kirk Murphy that beat the advancing GDF goalkeeper Dellon Young.
Disaster struck 15 minutes later for GDF when Young committed an infringement on Kevin Beaton who had eluded him in the box resulting in a penalty for Topp XX.
The ensuing kick, taken by Shevon Seaforth, found the back of the net much to the amazement of a strong, vociferous home support for Topp XX. Immediately, the GDF’s supporters started their chant for Fraser to replace Young, but it fell on deaf ears and as a revitalized Topp XX made spirited runs at their opponents, the army defence wilted under the pressure on a soggy ground.
Benjamin, Seaforth and company continued to force the initiative against their opponents and were rewarded with a free kick just on the stroke of half time following another infringement on Beaton, five yards away from the box.
Once again, Young displayed signs of immaturity for a game of such magnitude and fumbled the shot taken by Seaforth and to his dismay, saw Cameron placing the ball into the back of the net to spark off wild celebrations on and off the field.
Fraser along with Lewis, Ryan Morrison and Dwayne Fraser were introduced into the game at the commencement of the second half, and Fraser immediately gave his throng of supporters what they were calling for when he made a superb save from a Beaton scorcher inside the box.
As if to display his energetic ability, he sent a long throw to the feet of Dwight Peters who, after eluding three of his markers including Benjamin, who had a wonderful night in the field for Topp XX and Jamie Wilson, who had kept a tight lid on him, sent his shot wide.
The shrill sound of the referee’s whistle signalled the exit of GDF who have only themselves to blame for losing this encounter in a tournament that has a first place prize of G$1m.The competition will continue on August 9 at a venue to be named.
