A hat-trick from Keon Locke (blue ball assisted) and two double strikes from Karambo Holder and Ricford Morrison, led Melanie and Golden Stars (B) to convincing 4-2 and 4-1 victories over Plaisance Panthers and Victoria Kings respectively yesterday, in the latest round of the inaugural 2011 GT&T Fastball knock-out competition.
In the opening clash, between home side Plaisance Panthers and Melanie, It was Plaisance who drew first blood when Stephon Hanton latched on to a defensive error to score an easy goal in the 3rd minute and send a small but vocal home gathering into noisy celebrations.
Melanie however struck back twice before the 15-minute half time interval, thanks to a Keon Locke-converted six-second penalty and a 12th minute Anil Hernandes strike.
After the interval both teams played extremely attacking football and wasted chances, with the Panthers being the guiltiest.
Melanie however made them pay as in the 29th minute due to a free kick just outside the penalty area, Keon Locke scored with a brilliant left-footed strike over the defensive wall (with the blue ball) to complete his hat-trick and secure his side’s victory.
The other game in Plaisance saw Golden Stars (B) totally dominate a restricted 9-man Victoria Kings side. Double Goals from Karambo Holder in the 1st and 20th minute and Rickford Morrison in the 29th minute (blue ball assisted) and Ron Collins in the 20th minute responded for the losers.
At the Beterverwagting ground (BV) Overseas All Stars/Red Lions and Buxton (A) secured 2-1 victories over their rivals Buxton stars (B) and Outsiders FC United.
However due to the Overseas All-stars contesting their match with players banned by the Guyana Football Federation (GFF), they will not be going any further in this competition.
Matches continue today at both venues as well as at the GFC Ground in the city.
