Milerock and Silver Shattas Football Clubs have advanced to the next round of the Linden Invitational Football Tournament after recording victories over Netrockers and Winners Connections respectively at the McKenzie Sports Club ground Monday night.
In the first game of the night’s double header, Milerock can count their lucky stars for the victory after holding a 1-nil lead for 82 minutes following a Trevor Tudor strike in the 5th minute of the game, only to see Netrockers equalize through a penalty, following a handled ball in the penalty area in the 87th minute.
A see-saw battle ensued after that goal with Milerock trying desperately to regain the initiative while Netrockers was content to hold on for the eventual draw at the end of regulation time.
However, with both teams relaxing on the field and having a game review, it was announced via the public address system of the music sound system that extra time would be played to determine a winner in the encounter.
In the third minute of extra time, Milerock were awarded a penalty following an infringement committed on one of their strikers and Marlon Maxius stepped up to take the kick. But to all and sundry, Netrockers custodian effected the save to ensure his team remain in the game up to the end of the first half of extra time.
Curtis Jefferson then made sure Milerock advance at the expense of Netrockers, when he outran his marker and in his attempt to control the ball on his chest, saw it bounce over the custodian and into the back of the net to put his team ahead and in control until the final whistle.
In the second game a lackluster performance from Winners Connections (WC) enabled Silver Shattas to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat which ensured that WC made their exit from the tournament.
WC have only themselves to blame for their defeat having led their opponents 1-0 from the 17th minute of the game up until the final 10 minutes where Silver Shattas had a double strike to seal a come-from-behind win.
Rene Gibbons lifted the hopes of his team when he converted a pass from Gerald Wittington who was having a marvelous night in the field for WC. The leaders held onto their lead throughout the duration of the first half and for another 35 minutes of the second half. But a re-energized Silver Shattas unit led by the energetic Clive Nobrega who received able assistance from Lorenzo Sampson who was sturdy in defence, got the equalizer when Ruel Telford who has a penchant for scoring goals, did so in the 81st minute.
Eight minutes later and it was 2-1 in favour of Silver Shattas when Jermaine Mc Bean made amends for his goal scoring blunders earlier in the match by firing one past the goalkeeper to spark off celebrations and at the sound of the referee’s whistle, Silver Shattas were assured of a place in the next round while a disgruntled Winners Connections not only left the field but the competition in an unhappy mood.
The final of this competition is set for Saturday at the same venue.
