Defending champions Everest Hikers came from a goal down to squeeze past arch-rivals Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) 4-3 in the opening match of the 2008 Farfan and Mendes first division men’s hockey league last Sunday at Bourda.
In the blistering morning sun the GCC began at a hot pace creating several right wing attacks in the opening minutes before the Hikers came into their own and took control of the match ten minutes later.
GCC took the lead when left defender Patrick Edghill overlapped down the flank and crossed to striker Andrew Xavier who deflected the ball past Hikers’ goalkeeper Azad DeAbreu.
Everest pressed for the equaliser immediately upon the restart and were rewarded just two minutes later when national striker Robert France replied in like manner, slipping his deflection past the uprights from the narrowest of angles.
France registered a second goal just before the half as Everest capitalised on a defence error to walk the ball in outnumbering former national striker and stand-in goalkeeper David Fernandes in the nets.
GCC appeared more purposeful in the second half and equalised in the 42nd minute when Philip Fernandes pounced on a lose penalty corner rebound and swept the ball into the tin.
The game saw more end-to-end action and Everest struck next with a first-time finish by national midfielder Shane Samuels in the 51st minute and France completed his hatrick in the 56th with another flick from the baseline on the right.
As both teams tired, GCC pressed to make up the two-goal deficit with several exciting runs by national right wing and GCC Captain Devin Hooper but only managed to pull one back in the dying minutes by Orland Semple to leave the score line at 4-3 in favour of the Hikers.
The competition continues this weekend and the competing teams are Everest Hikers, GCC, Old Fort and Police.
