Alpha ‘the Hammer’ United edged New Amsterdam (NA) United 2-1 when action in the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Premier League continued at the Georgetown Football Club, Bourda on Sunday.
Manasseh Primo and Gregory Richardson netted for the winners on either side of halftime in the 16th and 47th minutes respectively. Scoring for the Berbice side in the 42nd minute was Kevin Joseph.
In a half highlighted by few clear-cut chances, Primo would break the deadlock in an amusing manner. Trying to slot home a Dwight Peters right side cross inside the 18-yard box, the usually dapper forward would get his legs tangled up upon striking the ball, only for the ball to contact his legs and trickle over the goal line.
However, the Region Six giants would level proceedings three minutes before half time through a moment of sheer class by Joseph.
Spotting custodian Richie Richards off his goal line, Joseph would unleash a perfectly lobbed right footed strike 25 yards out from the centre of the park that nestled into the back of the net to take his side his side into lemon time on level pegging.
Richardson would push Alpha back into the lead two minutes into the resumption of the second period. Stepping up to take a resulting spot kick for a foul just outside the area, Richardson would place his right footed strike to the bottom left hand corner of the woodwork.
Alpha almost increased their advantage five minutes before the end of normal time only for the NA United shot stopper Jevano Dos Santos to deny Richardson in a one on one situation with his legs.
Victorious coach Wayne ‘Wiggy’ Dover during a post-match comment said “Must give credit to NA United for coming out and sticking to their game plan. Unfortunately for them the result they wanted didn’t not happen. They should be disappointed to know that Alpha was below par and they didn’t get the result.
“Not taking any credit away from them but we played lacklustre. Most people look at the names we have but they don’t know the preparation that has to go into it. You can’t just pick up a bunch of good players and win. You have prepare them mentally, physically, technically and tactically” said Dover.
His opposite number Lennox Adams in an invited comment said “I am satisfied with the performance, we went to our plan and we executed. There is a lot of things we could improve on. Alpha is the top team and we respect them for their status.
“Thanks to all our supporters as well as the GFF for sponsoring such a tournament,” said Adams.
Over at the Buxton Community Centre ground on the East Coast of Demerara, home side Buxton United defeated Linden side Winners Connection 3-1 through goals from Clive Andries in the 53rd and 76th minutes and Michael Phyll in the 30th minute.
On target for the losers was Marlon Maximus in the 69th minute.
In the opening fixture, Santos FC edged BV/Triumph United 4-2 on kicks from the penalty mark following a tied 1-1 score line at the end of normal time. Michael Pedro opened the scoring for Santos in the 45th+1 minute while Ronaldo Welcome equaliser in the 71st minute.
