Defending champions Bakewell Topp XX and Amelia’s Ward United became the first two teams to advance to the semi-finals of this year’s Linden Invitational Football tournament after contrasting victories on Sunday at the Mackenzie Sports Club ground.
Topp XX were victors over Eagles United 2-1 while Amelia’s Ward United fired past Silver Shattas by three goals to two.
The Bakewell-sponsored side drew first blood in the seventh minute through Keiron Cameron and from then on they controlled the pace of the game as the Eagles United strikers found it hard to get past their defense.
As the game progressed, Topp XX had several good looks at the goal but to no avail and ended the first half leading by one goal to nil.
The second half saw a bit more purposeful football from Eagles and this paid dividend when Rene Bristol equalized in the 52nd minute, much to the delight of the team’s clique.
But then like true champions, Topp XX’s substitute Troy ‘Boy Blue’ Nelson broke the ice in the 77th minute. His strike sparked an uproar by Eagles United players and supporters since they thought that he was in an offside position.
However, referee Stanley Lancaster and his linesmen stood firm to their decision and the defending champs remain alive in their attempt to win a second tournament title.
Meanwhile, playing in the opening game in front of a small but vocal crowd at MSC ground, it was clear that the men from the Amelia’s Ward community meant business as they were given the go ahead just two minutes into the game by Keshan Warner.
Using their early strike as motivation, Amelia’s Ward United went on to play with a high level of confidence although they failed to score on several clear opportunities.
One nil was the score going into the second half in favour of Amelia’s Ward.
It seemed that the customary locker room motivational speech really inspired the Silver Shattas players as one minute after the resumption of the second half, their primary goal scorer, Nigel Price equalized to bring the game to a balance.
The two sides played a seesaw type of football until Marlon ‘Dog’ Simon squeezed his side into the lead in the 50th minute.
Amelia’s Ward found a new high ten minutes later and went up 3-1 through a well-timed shot from Andrew Lambert.
Devon Pereira scored in the 80th minute for Silver Shattas but his goal seemed useless as the Amelia’s Ward players were able to thwart all their moves en route to advancing to the semi-finals, bettering their first showing when they were eliminated in the first round last year.
The tournament continues tomorrow evening at the same venue when the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) will come up against last year’s finalist Milerock United and Net Rockers will face Winners Connection.
Over $500,000 in cash and prizes are up for grabs in this year’s event which was put together by the Netrockers and Amelia’s Ward United clubs with additional sponsorship from the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GT&T).
