Since the commencement of the Fruta Conquerors organized 2008 Namilco Football Festival Knockout Competition on October 24, three teams have been eliminated from the tourney while three other teams have advanced to the next round.
On Friday New Amsterdam United were defeated 0 – 1 by Pele while Santos and Western Tigers were overwhelmed by Bakewell Top XX and Monnederlust 0 – 1 and 1 – 2 respectively on Tuesday at the Tucville Playfield.
It was a dark night for Western Tigers on night where lights illuminated the Capital City as they bowed out to Monnederlust in the feature match of the double header on Diwali evening.
The encounter began in Monnederlust’s favour, a 12th minute own goal by Western Tigers pushed their opponents ahead before Eddie Gomes equalized for Western Tigers in the 37th minute.
After the 15 minute break the teams recommenced the battle and just when it looked as if the game was going to run into extra time Divanie Gillford of Monedderlust found a 89th minute goal for his team which stunned the opposition.
In the Top XX/Santos battle, the two sides fought the entire 90 minutes of play without scoring then drove the clash into extra time where Top XX’s Romain Haynes scored in the first half of extra time (111th) for victory.
On Friday, Pele’s lone goal came in the 55th minute compliments of Dirk Archer who managed to penetrate the N/A team’s defence.
The defending champions Guyana Defence Force (GDF) were billed to clash with Bakewell Buxton Stars on the opening night of the tourney but unfortunately they did not get to play because of a power outage in the area.
It was not until some time after eight o’clock that the light came on allowing only one game to be contested.
Stabroek Sport was told that systems are being put in place to eliminate that hiccup.
GDF and Buxton Stars will clash tomorrow at 5pm while Georgetown Football Club (GFC) and Rosignol United will take on Flamingo and Fruta Conquerors at 7pm and 9pm respectively at the Tucville Playfield.
