Fruta Conquerors, Uprising, Mocha Champs and Silver Shatters were all sent packing in the latest matches of the NAMILCO knockout Football Festival and the stage is now set for two intriguing matches this the evening at the Tucville Playfield under lights.
Former national club champions Conquerors looked ordinary in their encounter against the BV Football Club in which the East Coast Demerara side won 1-0.
The game’s lone goal came off the boot of Delroy Deen who scored in the 31st minute of play.
The BV Football Club will now play Georgetown Football Club (GFC) in the second match of this evening’s double header card.
GFC advanced following a 3-2 thrilling win in a penalty shootout against Silver Shatters after the two teams were locked 2-2 at regulation and extra time.
John Waldron had sent Shatters into the lead in the 43rd minute and they held a 1-0 lead at half time, but in the 65th minute Clayton McCloud scored the equaliser for GFC. Just when it looked like the teams would end 1-1 at regular time, Waldron struck for Shatters in the 87th minute but his strike energised their opponents when Eon Harrin scored almost on the stroke of regular time for GFC forcing extra time and a penalty shootout which his team won 3-2.
Alpha United destroyed Uprising 5-2 after leading 3-1 at half time in a match dominated by the Alpha side.
Kevin Smith and Sherwin Vincent scored within the space of two minutes (22nd and 24th minutes) for Alpha before Dexter Bentick pulled one back but Sean Bishop netted for Alpha once again and they led 3-1 at the half.
At the resumption Mervyn Bowlin scored for Uprising in the 56th minute but Alpha turned on the heat with Kester Allen scoring in the 77th and again on the stroke of the final whistle.
Camptown also advanced with a 1-0 win over Mocha Champs of East Bank Demerara with the East Bank team going out in disappointing fashion following an own goal in the 89th minute of play.
Alpha and Camptown will clash in the first match this afternoon at 5.30 pm.
Tounament sponsors NAMILCO presented a gate of a hamper to lucky spectator Thindi Hendricks. The presentation was made by Fazia Sukhai, wife of the general manager of NAMILCO.
The winners in the Festival will collect $400,000, with the runners-up taking home $200,000, third place $100,000 and fourth place $50,000.
There will be other incentive prizes including awards for the most valuable player (MVP), highest goal scorer, best goal keeper and young promising players (2).
The final is set for December 9 at the Georgetown Cricket Club ground.