A 90th +1 minute own goal earned Ann’s Grove a deserved 1-1 draw with Santos when the second annual Petra Organization/Limacol Football Championship continued Thursday at the Georgetown Football Club (GFC) ground, Bourda.
Awarded a free-kick at the top of the 18 yard area, the resulting strike sparked a goal mouth scramble, which resulted into the ball deflecting off the boot of Trevor Lewis and settling into the lower right corner, sparking wild celebrations amongst their sizable fan-base.
With the result, both teams walked away with a point. In a match that came to life in the second period, the East Coast of Demerara unit were unfortunate not to walk away with the win as they dominated proceedings.
The only opportunity of the first period fell to Ann’s Grove in the 27th minute, with Phillip Williams forcing a brilliant save from the Santos custodian, who acrobatically at full stretch, tipped a lobbed shot from the right side over the crossbar.
Ozese Halley forced another smart save in the 51st minute from the Santos custodian to his left via p a header from inside the six yard box as, Ann’s Grove continued to fashion the better opportunities.
On the other side, Lewis almost gave the Georgetown unit the lead in the 59th minute, redirecting an initial strike inside the centre of the box which was parried by the goalkeeper diving to his left.
Ann’s Grove was made to pay for their profligacy in the final third as, substitute forward Keith Caines gave Santos the lead in the 66th minute, racing onto a pass in the left of the box, before slotting into the lower right corner past the advancing goalkeeper.
The East Coast unit almost fashioned the equalizer in the 72nd minute as, Daniel Pellew raced onto a through pass inside the centre of the area, only to be denied brilliantly by the onrushing goalkeeper.
Williams nearly restored parity in the 84th minute, curling a left foot shot just over the crossbar from the top of the box after racing onto a pass.
Ann’s Grove would not be denied as, Lewis inadvertently directed the ball into the back of the net in dying stages of the contest.
However, Santos was presented with an opportunity to clinch the result in the 90th+3 minute as, Job Caesar dribbled his way into the left of the box before firing his effort inches wide of the lower left corner.
Meanwhile, Western Tigers edged NA United 2-1. Joshua Britton and own goal in the ninth and 36th minute respectively proved to be the difference on the night.
For the loser, Quinn Hazel scored in the 36th minute. With the win, Western Tigers climb atop group-B with three points while NA United drop to the cellar on zero point.
To date, Banks DIH Limited under the GT Beer Brand, Trophy Stall and Star Party Rentals are the other companies that have thrown their support behind the championship.
