Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ …Reigning champs North Ruimveldt scrapes to semis

Defending champs North Ruimveldt will oppose Sparta Boss while Back Circle will tackle newcomers Channel-9 Warriors in the semi-final stage following quarterfinal victories in the Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ Georgetown Champion-ship on Friday.

Staged in front of the largest crowd to date, the holder kept their hopes of retaining the title alive, after overcoming a star-studded Bent Street unit 2-1 on penalty kicks.

Following a 1-1 score at the end of normal and regulation time, the first round of the shoot-out started badly for both sides as they failed from the mark. It then became 1-1 in the second round as Joshua Browne scored for the holders and Ryan Hackett equalized for the challengers. Linris Carrington pushed North Ruimveldt into the lead in the third round as he netted from the distance. Needing to convert in their final attempt to push the fixture into the sudden death stage, Eon Alleyne directed his effort wide of the right corner, sealing their exit.

Before the match’s eventual conclusion, Sheldon Profitt gave Bent Street the lead in the 29th minute, finishing down the centre following a one-on-one situation. However, the holders equalized seconds later as Carrington finished his left-sided shot into the right corner.

Dennis Edwards (blue vest) of Channel-9 Warriors trying to control the ball while being challenged by Jamal Pedro of West Front Road as teammate Delon Williams (centre) and opposing player Hubert Pedro (right) look on.
Dennis Edwards (blue vest) of Channel-9 Warriors trying to control the ball while being challenged by Jamal Pedro of West Front Road as teammate Delon Williams (centre) and opposing player Hubert Pedro (right) look on.

With the win, North Ruimveldt will now oppose Sparta Boss on Tuesday at the same venue after the East La Penitence based unit downed North East La Penitence by a 2-0 score line in a hard-fought contest.

Rescued twice by the woodwork in either side of half time, the experienced Sparta Boss unit snatched the lead in the 29th minute as Sheldon Shepherd rifled a left-footed shot into the right corner from the left side, after latching onto a deflected shot from the retreating final defender.

The victory was completed in the final minutes of the match as Devon Millington scored in the 40th minute, slotting into the empty net unchallenged after racing onto a deflection following an errant pass.

On the other hand, Channel-9 Warriors continued their giant killing ways, upsetting tourney favourites West Front Road-Gold is Money 1-0.

Fresh off their 1-0 win over Leopold Street, Kevin Barrow sealed their maiden semi-final berth, volleying his right-footed effort from the centre of the field into the roof of the net, igniting wild scenes on and off the field by their support staff and huge fan-base. Due to the victory, Channel-9 Warriors earned a final four match against former winner Back Circle who dismantled East Front Road in the ‘Battle for the East.’ Andy Duke started the rout in the third minute, finishing with the outside of his right foot into the right corner after racing onto the ball on the left side of the field.

It quickly became 2-0 four minutes onward as Duke notched his second, slotting the ball into the roof of the net from the right side of the box, after collecting a left-sided Devon Harris pass following a two-on-one situation.

The win was sealed in the 23rd minute as Vincent Thomas added his name to the scorer’s sheet, thumping a right-footed shot into the right corner from the left side of the field.