Berbice outfit Cougars Football Club Sunday sealed their place in the next of the 22nd Mayor’s Cup football tournament overcoming Golden Grove 4-2 on penalty kicks at the Victoria Community Centre Ground.
With the score 2-2 in front of a sizeable crowd, kicks from the penalty mark were required to settle the outcome. Cougars, asked to take first strike from the mark, did not disappoint scoring on their first attempt.
Likewise, Golden Grove was successful in their first attempt to level the contest. Cougars maintained their perfect record from the spot as they scored to start the second round.
Golden Grove then handed the Berbicians a 2-1 lead as they missed in their second shot from the distance. Cougars maintained their grip on the match and with both teams scoring in the second round, the score read 3-2.
The Berbice outfit further strengthened their position as they scored to start the fourth round. Needing a conversion to keep their hopes alive, Golden Grove sealed their own exit as they failed from the mark.
Prior to the dramatic conclusion, Sherwin Parris gave Cougars the lead through a 57th minute strike. However, Golden Grove levelled proceedings in the 62nd minute.
With the score remaining unchanged after 90 minutes, extra was required. It was then that Cougars retook the lead through Dan Johnson who scored in the 110th minute.
Nevertheless, Golden Grove pushed the match into its eventual end as Carlos Kingston scored two minutes later. Similarly, Beterverwagting (BV)/Triumph downed Mahaica Determinators 5-4 on penalty kicks after normal and extra time finished 1-1 to book their spot in the next section.
Action in the event is slated to continue on Sunday at the same venue with a triple-header. In the opening fixture at 17:00hrs, BV/Triumph will oppose Guyana Police Force while Grove Hi-Tech will tackle Ann’s Grove from 19:00hrs.
In the feature contest, home side Victoria Kings will tackle Winners Connection from 21:00hrs. Winner of the event will receive $700,000 and the championship trophy while the second, third and fourth place finishers will pocket $300,000, $200,000 and $100,000 respectively and the corresponding accolade.
