In a matchup marred by the issuing of several red cards, Slingerz FC defeated a nine-member Alpha United 2-1 when the League Finale section of the GFF Stag Beer Elite League continued on Wednesday.
Following a conversion from Anthony Abrams in the 59th to give Alpha the lead at the Tucville ground, the matchup was turned on its head as Anthony Belfield picked up his second yellow card and was sent off for delaying the restart of the game.
In spite of their numerical advantage, Slingerz were gifted the equaliser in the 71st minute as a strike from 22 yards out in the centre of the field, was parried into the path of the onrushing Julian Wade who simply tapped home.
It went from bad to worse for the Georgetown unit as Abrams was shown a red card one minute later for allegedly using abusive language towards the official.
The resulting dismissal led to Shevane Seafort being issued with a red card while on the bench for verbally abusing the official.
With only nine players at their disposal, Alpha eventually cracked under the pressure of their foe, surrendering a simple conversion into the left corner in the 86th minute to Trayon Bobb, following a right-sided cross into the box.
With the win, the West Demerara unit strengthened their position atop of the standings, climbing to 12 points. On the other side, Alpha United remain on seven points.
Meanwhile, home side Fruta Conquerors moved into the second position in the standings, downing Berbice unit Monedderlust FC by a 4-1 score line.
Shaquille Agard continued his goal scoring form for the Tucville unit as he netted his fourth of the event in the 16th minute, blasting a left-footed strike into the roof of the net, after pouncing on a loose ball.
Jahaal Greaves made it 2-0 in the 29th minute as he recorded his third goal to date, tapping home into the lower left corner, after a left-sided Eon Alleyne cross was headed into his path within the box by Jermin Junior.
The visitors eventually pulled one back in the 43rd minute as Seon Jackson scored into the lower left corner, latching onto a loose ball within the centre of the box, after an initial left-sided cross was parried by the diving keeper and was not cleared by the defenders.
Nonetheless, Fruta Conquerors restored their two-goal advantage in the 66th minute as Hubert Pedro converted from the penalty mark.
Awarded the spot-kick after the defender handled a left side Agard cross, Pedro made no mistake from the distance, leaving the goalkeeper rooted to the spot as he finished a right-foot shot into the lower left corner.
Junior capped off the result in the 89th minute as he slotted past the advancing goalkeeper from the centre of the box, after latching onto a through pass from Pedro.
As a result of the win, Fruta Conquerors leap frog Alpha United into the second position with 10 points. On the other hand, it was the third lost for the Berbicians who sit on one point and in the cellar position.
Action in the tournament is slated to continue today at the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) ground with another doubleheader.
In the opening fixture at 18:00hrs, Slingerz will oppose Fruta Conquerors while at 20:30hrs, GDF will tackle Buxton United.
Current Points Standings
Team GP W L D GF GA GD Pts
Slingerz 4 4 0 0 12 2 +10 12
Fruta Conquerors 4 3 0 1 9 4 +5 10
Alpha United 4 2 1 1 9 4 +5 7
GDF 4 2 2 0 4 9 -5 6
Buxton United 4 1 2 1 4 5 -1 4
Pele 4 1 2 1 2 3 -1 4
GFC 4 0 3 1 3 8 -5 1
Monedderlust 4 0 3 1 2 10 -8 1
