Santos, Western Tigers reach semi-finals in contrasting fashion

Georgetown units Santos and Western Tigers sealed their semifinal berths in the Stag Nation Cup after eliminating West Demerara outfits Uitvlugt and Pouderoyen respectively Sunday.

Santos overcame Uitvlugt 3-1 at the Tucville Community ground. Job Caesar broke the deadlock for Santos in the 20th minute compliments of a penalty conversion.

Keith Caines made it 2-0 in the 39th minute, latching onto a cross from the right side before hammering home a first time effort.

Uitvlugt pulled one back in the 52nd minute as Keon Duke made his presence felt, firing a first time effort from the top of the box into the net, after latching onto a cross.

Job Caesar (left) of Santos trying to maintain possession of the ball while under pressure from a Uitvlugt marker during their quarterfinal contest in the Stag Nation Cup at the Tucville Ground

However, the West Demerara side’s attempt at a comeback was severely hampered as Ryan Andrews was given a red card in the 56th minute following his second bookable offence.

Santos eventually capitalised on their numerical advantage with Caesar netting his second goal in the 81st minute, collecting a chested pass and the lashing the ball into the back of the net.

In the second match, Western Tigers roared past Pouderoyen 9-1, recording the largest margin of victory in the event to date.

The contest was effectively over in the first period when the West Ruimveldt unit recorded six goals. Randolph Wagner led the rout with a double in the 26th and 36th minute.

Joshua Britton, Jorell Tyrell, Jamal Pedro and Dwayne McLennon contributed to the first half blitz with goals in the 10th, 22nd, 34th and 38th minute respectively.

The second period saw an improved defensive showing from the Pouderoyen as they only conceded thrice.

Darren Benjamin, McLennon and Joshua Ramotar were on target in the 74th, 90th and 90th+4 minute correspondingly. For Pouderoyen, Dwayne St. Kitts recorded a consolation goal in the 87th minute.

The event will resume tomorrow at the Camp Ayanganna ground with the final two quarterfinal fixtures. In the opening fixture at 19:00hrs, Riddim Squad will oppose Den Amstel while Guyana Police Force will engage Grove Hi-Tech from 21:00hrs.

The winning team will pocket $2,000,000 and the championship trophy while the second, third and fourth placed units will walk-away $1,000,000, $500,000 and $300,000 respectively and a trophy.