Reliving their glory days the Carib All Stars thrashed the Under-21 squad 7-1 and have taken the lead in the John Fernandes Insurance Service second division hockey league when play continued Saturday at Thirst Park.
The All Stars, comprising several former national players taught the young Under-21 side a lesson in a lop-sided affair.
A helmet-trick of goals by national goalkeeper Azad DeAbreu in his new role as striker led all scorers as the marauding All Stars side went on a goal rampage.
DeAbreu opened his team’s account with a deflection goal in just the 8th minute and scored three more by full time, but it was his spectacular diving shot to earn his third goal of the match that was most entertaining.
Philip Fernandes, Dexter Wyles and Colin Aaron by virtue of a penalty stroke rounded out the score sheet for the All Stars.
Promising midfielder, Ryan Primo scored the consolation goal for the under-21.
Despite the imbalanced score line, the under-21s did manage to string together several clever build-ups with Primo and Leon Bacchus displaying good skills and composure. The All Stars defence however, comprised of mostly former national players, remained virtually impenetrable. In the second match of the afternoon, Old Fort second division chalked up their first win with a 4-1 beating of the Airbenders.
While the game got off to an even start, skilful midfielder Jason De Santos showed his quality and made the difference between the two sides.
De Santos scored the only two goals of the first half, in the 18th and 34th, minute with nippy individual runs and the second goal coming off a spectacular reverse shot that blew past the stunned Airbenders goalkeeper.
The Airbenders scored early in the second half when Chantelle Fernandes converted from a penalty stroke.
De Santos would strike again however in his similar fashion in the 53rd minute and Kevin Melville added another seven minutes later to take the Old Fort lead to 4-1 and pull off the convincing victory. The Carib All Stars now lead the points standing with seven points followed by GCC on six, Hikers on four, Old Fort on three, under-21 with just one and the Airbenders yet to earn points. Each team has at least two matches remaining in the first of the competition’s two rounds.
One match is scheduled today with Old Fort taking on All Stars at Demerara Cricket Club ground starting at 16:45 hours.
