In what was probably the dress rehearsal for the `Sweet 16’ knock out final today Sunburst Camptown defeated opponents Guyana Defence Force 2-1 to maintain their lead at the top of the Georgetown Football Association (GFA) Cellink Plus-sponsored Premier League football competition at the Tucville ground Friday night.
And, in the opening encounter, Pele Football Club held the initiative for the first 45 minutes before Georgetown Football Club (GFC) returned in the second half to score twice including a goal in injury time to record a come-from-behind 2-1 victory.
But it was the Camptown/GDF match that whetted the appetite of football fans with Camptown taking the initiative from the opening whistle which forced the Army’s `Twin Towers’ defence of captain Devon Harris and Rayan Adolph to work overtime.
Once again Troy Mollyneaux proved to be a thorn in the flesh of another football team as he masterfully controlled Camptown’s midfield with support from skipper Troy Prescod.
They ensured that the forwards, Telson McKinnon and Marvin Joseph, were fed on a regular basis and were it not for the water on the ground from heavy rains that swept through Georgetown lately, the margin of victory could have been bigger.
Sunburst Camptown controlled the game in the first half with GDF custodian Keith Fraser and his teammates forced to play defence as Mollyneaux, Prescod, Marvin Joseph and Telson Mc Kinnon constantly invaded their territory.
But the water, along with some brilliant goalkeeping from Fraser thwarted the Sunburst-sponsored boys from opening their account and when the whistle went for lemon time, the score was nil-nil.
In the second half, Camptown continued to attack but was met by sturdy defence from Harris and Adolph.
The GDF players had a few raids of their own with Stellon David and Warren Gilkes to the fore but the Camptown back trio of Orlando Gilgeous, Tito Adams and Dexter Dummette stood up to the task while Camptown’s goalkeeper Maurice Prince throughout the evening proved his worth with some magnificent saves even from point blank range.
In the 60th minute Kwame La Fleur worked his way down the right wing, found an unmarked Joseph who then sent a shot to the right of Fraser who ran out of answers.
The goal rejuvenated Camptown and, as was the case in the first half, they recommenced a relentless attack.
Prescod then sent a through ball to Mc Kinnon in the 86th minute and, after evading the defence he dummied Fraser to his left and in the same motion sent his shot to the right.
In the opening game, Pele went into lemon time leading the GFC unit by the odd goal to nil courtesy of a Linden Simmons strike in the 36th minute.
A resurgent looking Bourda side came out in the second half in search of the equalizer which they got when Rodwell Wellington found the back of the net in the 78th minute.
Shad Fernandes then sealed the second win of the competition for his team, when he too found the back of the net in injury time to ensure GFC went away with the win.
They now trail Pele, who are in fifth position with seven points, by one point.
