Despite the earlier downpours, a mammoth crowd witnessed heavyweights Sparta Boss, North Ruimveldt, Back Circle and newcomer Channel-9 Warriors clinch their quarterfinal berths in the Guinness of the Streets’ Georgetown Champion-ship on Wednesday.
Staged at the National Cultural Centre Tarmac on Mandela Avenue, Sparta Boss overcame former winner Holmes Street Tigerbay 4-3 on sudden death kicks after normal and extra time finished 1-1.
The first round of penalty kicks witnessed both teams converting from the mark in the form of Holmes Street’s Dwayne Dickson and Roberto Osbourne of Sparta Boss.
In then became 2-2 in the second round as Darren Harris scored for Holmes Street while Devon Millington converted for Sparta Boss. The third round failed to separate the two teams as both sides netted once more, sending the matchup into the sudden death realm.
Holmes Street then suffered a setback in their first attempt in the sudden death round, missing out as Joel Bond directed his attempt wide of the right-hand corner. Only needing to convert to seal the win, Sheldon Shepherd made no mistake as he fired his effort into the left corner.
Prior to the fixture’s end, Holmes Street took the lead in the sixth minute through Darren Harris’s right-sided shot following a counterattack, after Dennis Edwards struck the woodwork on the opposite side. However their lead was short-lived as Sheldon equalised a minute later with a powerful shot from the centre into the back of the net. On the other hand, present holder North Ruimveldt squeaked past West Back Road 2-1 on penalty kicks after normal and extra time finished 0-0.
The penalty shoot-out started badly for the holders as they missed from the mark while the challenger netted from spot. The scores then became 1-1 as North Ruimveldt struck through Linris Carrington while West Back Road missed.
North Ruimveldt then took a 2-1 lead as they converted in their third and final attempt. Needing to score to push the game into the sudden death round, Phillip Rowley failed from the distance as he fired his effort onto the left upright.
Meanwhile, Back Circle sent a strong warning to the field as they dismantled Jamoon Drive 3-0. It only took the East Ruimveldt-based unit 14 seconds to score as Andy Duke placed his right-sided strike into the right side.
Devon Harris made it 2-0 in the third minute with a left-sided shot before Duke completed the rout 10 minutes later, finishing into the empty net from the left side of the field.
Similarly, Channel-9 Warriors created the biggest upset to date, downing former holder Leopold Street by a 1-0 margin.
Joshua Fiffie scored in the 24th minute, slotting home from the right side into the back of the net after collecting a left-sided pass following a counterattack after Omallo Williams had struck the left upright.
In other results, North East La Penitence edged Stevedore Housing Scheme 1-0. Gerald Gittens was the difference with a 14th-minute penalty conversion following an infraction within the area.
Also claiming a berth in the final eight was West Front Road who defeated Shopping Plaza 1-0 compliments of a Michael Oie finish down the centre of the goal and East Front Road who defeated Upsetters 3-1 led by a Dillon Henry double in the eighth and 20th minutes.
Netting the other goal in the win was Shaka Jones in the 17th minute while Lorenzo Dewsbury scored for the loser in the 18th minute. The final quarterfinal slot went to Bent Street who defeated Old School Ballers 3-2 after normal and extra time finished 0-0.
With the conclusion of the round-of-16 stage, the quarterfinal round will commence today at the same venue. In the opening fixture at 21:00hrs, Bent Street will oppose North Ruimveldt while Back Circle will lock horns with East Front Road from 21:30hrs.
At 10:00hrs, West Front Road will oppose Channel-9 Warriors while the final fixture of the night will pit Sparta Boss against North East La Penitence.
The winner of the event will pocket $500,000, the championship trophy and the right to represent the zone at the national tourney while the second, third and fourth placed units will collect $200,000. $150,000 and $100,000 respectively and the corresponding accolade.
