By Calvin Roberts
Winners Connections Foot-ball Club continued their winning ways whilst Netrockers suffered an upset when action in the Upper Demerara Football Association UDFA) Coca Cola-sponsored, first-division competition continued at the Mackenzie Sports Club ground Wednesday night.
Playing in the first match of a double-header, Blue Berry Hill United stunned Netrockers 2-1 while Winners Connections secured a come-from-behind 2-1 victory over Eagles United.
The Blue Berry Hill/ Netrockers clash sparked off the evening with some exciting plays especially from the losers and were it not for the efforts of Netrockers custodian Deon Tyrell,the margin of victory would have been wider.
It was the victors who relentlessly carried the attack to their opponents in the first half with Ossie Hale, Malvin Blair, Royston Fraser and the defensive trio of Oswin Huge, Nolan Richards and Kevon Waithe who tormented Netrockers.
Hale wasted no time when he sent a shot from just outside the 18-yard box only to see Tyrell pull off a magnificent save.
Blue Berry Hill continued to attack forcing Netrockers to play a more defensive game within the first 30 minutes of the match.
However, when Netrock-ers turned on the gas, the stove really started cooking for them when Keon Bristol who was having a memorable night for Netrockers, sent a low shot to the right of Blue Berry Hill’s custodian Deon Bartin on the stroke of the half time whistle to rocket his team into the lead at lemon-time.
Second half action saw the leaders looking to increase their lead whilst their opponents searched for the equalizer which they got in the 75th minute.
Richards sent a free kick from the left of the field into the box and in the ensuing goal mouth scrimmage by the Netrockers defence, Major let loose a rocket like shot which left Tyrell stranded.
Four minutes later, Blue Berry Hill, shot into the lead when Fraser, who would have won the man of the match prize if ever there was one available, let loose another rocket-like shot from inside the box that once again left Tyrell helpless.
When the final whistle of referee Rollin Toppin sounded Blue Berry Hill celebrated an upset 2-1 victory over their more illustrious opponents.
In the feature game of the evening, Winners Connec-tions overcame the loss of their first choice keeper in national under-15 custodian Jamal Gibbons (injured) and an own goal to defeat Eagles United by a 2-1 margin.
They lost Gibbons, who had surgery performed on his lower gum and lip area respectively one month ago, after he received a blow from one of their opponent’s forwards and had to be substituted in the sixth minute.
His replacement Terrence Welcome was completely at sea within the uprights but yet still Eagles found it hard to score.
Even though Winners Connection came away with a victory to remain on top of the points standings, some one needs to remind Shawn ‘Boney Man’ Gittens that shooting brings a forward goals.
Gittens had approximately six clear chances to score in the first half but on each occasion he was guilty of over dribbling.
In the 15th minute, Gittens wormed his way into his opponent’s box but instead of shooting the ball, he lost it thanks to the defence work of David Gray.
Eagles won a free kick in the 32nd minute which was taken by Gray who sent his shot into the goal area and to the detriment of the Winners Connections bench, the ball flew off the head of their defence player Ralph Alexander and ended into the back of the net with their custodian well out of the way.
Winners Connections fought hard to equalize and were rewarded three minutes later when Ryan Crandon scored a header from a corner kick to ensure his team went into the break level.
The second half saw the same intensity as the first with both teams looking to gain the initiative.
Eagles’ Delon Albert and Deon Charter were working overtime for their team but the sturdy defence of Winners Connection prevented any penetration.
Even Welcome was growing in confidence in his new role as substitute custodian effecting saves to the applause of his teammates.
When Gittens did decide to shoot the ball, his shot was off mark and in some instances when he had the opportunity to pass, he was guilty of excessive dribbling.
He, however, made amends when he received a cross from Crandon and in one motion, sent his shot to the left of Deon Sancharran in goal for Eagles in the 58th minute.
A see-saw battle ensued after that goal with Gray, Albert and Charter trying desperately to locate the equalizer for their team, but Welcome was equal to the task and when the final whistle sounded, they had no hard feelings towards the loss of Gibbons early in the game.
Action in the league will continue on Sunday with another double header from 18:00hrs.
