Georgetown champion Fruta Conquerors and Santos FC secured hard-fought quarterfinal wins when the KFC Independence Knockout Club National Championship continued yesterday at the National Training Centre, Providence.
The Tucville based Fruta Conquerors outfit overcame East Coast Demerara champion Buxton United 5-3 in extra time after regulation time produced a 3-3 stalemate.
Nicholas MacArthur handed Fruta Conquerors the lead in the extra time interval compliments of a 107th minute strike. The conversion was his second of the match.
The result was then sealed when Wayne Baker made his presence felt in the 110th minute. Prior to the dramatic conclusion, Omari Glasgow pushed Buxton United into the lead with a 21st minute attempt.
This lead would be maintained heading into the halftime interval. Upon the resumption, Rayvon Bailer equalized, netting in the 58th minute. Fruta Conquerors then took the lead in the 72nd minute when MacArthur opened his account.
However, Buxton United fought back to seize control through a double from Durant. The burly forward equalised in the 78th minute, before handing his side the advantage in the 85th minute to seal his brace.
Nonetheless, the match would enter the extra time realm, with Leon Richardson breaking Buxton hearts in the 90th+1 minute. With the win, Fruta Conquerors will now oppose Santos FC, who downed Rupununi champions Strikers 3-1.
Stephon Reynolds handed Santos the lead in the 20th minute. However, Felix Bartholomew leveled proceedings compliments of a 40th minute conversion.
Nevertheless, Santos would seal their place in the final four section following two unanswered goals.
Leslie McGarrell handed the Georgetown unit the lead once more as he etched his name on the scorer’s sheet in the 61st minute. The result was then sealed as Ronaldo Rodrigues found the back of the net in the 80th minute.
To date, Upper Demerara Football Association [UDFA] champion Botofago and Dynamic FC are the other two teams to seal semi-final berths following quarterfinal victories.
Botofago overcame East Bank Demerara winner Timehri Panthers 3-2 while Dynamic FC downed Berbice champions New Amsterdam [NA] United 3-0. The two teams will meet in the second semi-final.
The winning team will pocket $500,000 and a trophy, with the second and third place finishers receiving $300,000 and $200,000 each and the corresponding accolade. The fourth-place finisher will receive a trophy.
Complete Results
Game-1
Santos-3 vs Strikers-1
Santos Scorers
Stephon Reynolds-20th
Leslie McGarrell-61st
Ronaldo Rodrigues-80th
Strikers Scorer
Felix Bartholomew-40th
Game-2
Fruta Conquerors-5 vs Buxton United-3
Fruta Scorers
Nicholas MacArthur-72nd and 107th
Rayvon Bailey-58th
Leon Richardson-90th+1
Wayne Baker-110th
Buxton Scorers
Kobe Durant-78th and 85th
Omari Glasgow-21st
