Action in the Linden leg of the 2012 Guinness in the Street Fustal competition, kicked off with eight games in the opening round of matches at the Wisroc Amelia’s Ward Bus Park Sunday evening.
Patrons in large numbers at the venue in the mining town were treated to an exciting brand of all-round street football which resulted in 29 goals being scored overall.
Before kick-off, however, Guinness brand manager Lee Baptiste, on behalf of Banks DIH Limited, gave an overview of the company’s delight in staging the competition in Linden.
“We are looking forward to an exciting competition and are urging fans in the area to come out and be entertained by the standard of football that will be played. We wish the teams well and on behalf of the Guinness Family and Banks as a corporate entity once again we are always cognizant of giving back to the communities of Guyana via mechanisms like these,” said Baptiste.
Of the eight fixtures played, the highlight was the opening Group C fixture between The Amazing and Constab Warriors, in which the former displayed an inch perfect display of street futsal, as they routed their opposition in a goal fest.
The game began at a slow pace as both teams were relatively loose in possession, but eventual hat-trick hero Jermaine Fordyce broke the deadlock with a hard low shot in the fifth minute.
Constab equalized soon after via a free kick goal from Joseph McKenzie that went through The Amazing’s two-man wall.
However, with the pace of the game noticeably increasing, The Amazing was immediately back in front, courtesy of an Andre Phillips strike from the right-flank as they entered the 10-minute, first half interval with a 2-1 advantage.
In the second half, the Amazing put on a master class display to the delight of the crowd, scoring five goals, including three in just two minutes to leave their opponents visibly shell-shocked.
Along with Fordyce, Ordane Phillips was the evening’s other hat-trick hero as his team Wisroc drew 3-3 with Goal Getters in a Group H clash.
Thirty-two teams including last year’s winner, Eagles Football Club, will tackle each other for bragging rights, the winner’s trophy and the first prize of $500,000.
The first, second and third runners-up teams will receive $250,000 and a trophy, $150,000 and a trophy and $100,000 and a trophy respectively.
All 32 teams will also receive hampers for entering the tournament. The leading goal scorer and the MVP of the competition will also receive prizes.
The final, which is scheduled for June 5, will be played at the Wisroc Amelia’s Ward Bus Park.
Action in the group and exhibition phase continues this evening at the Silver City Hardcourt with a further eight matches.
Summary of scores from Sunday evening:
Game 1: The Amazing 7 – Scorers: Andre Phillips 9th , 12th and 17th minutes, Jermin Fordyce 5th and 17th minutes, Travis Leitch 17th and 19th minutes
Constab Warriors 1 – Scorer: Jose Mckenzie 8th minute
Game 2: Top Class 2 Scorers: Bryan Joseph 4th minute and Bunny Hamilton 12th minute
Mini Bus 2 Godfrey Johnson 2nd minute and Johnny Fredricks 15th minute
Game 3: Classic six 1 – Scorer: Romel Mathews 13th minute Pokerburg 0
Game 4: Wisroc 3 – Scorer: Orande Wills 13th, 18th and 19th minute
Goal Getters 3 – Scorers: R. Summer 5th, K. Bristol 17th and A. Moore 18th minute.
Game 5: Star Boyz 1 – Scorer: Jermin Granderson 6th minute
Pepper skull 1 – Scorer: Romel Pickering 16th minute
Game 6: Sheriff Squad 2 – Scorers: Quacy Johnson 1st minute and Collie Hercules 14th minute
Ripping Bullets 1: Scorer: Shawn Seaforth 13th minute
Game 7: Attackers 1 – Scorer: Fitzroy chin 2nd min
Eagles 1 – Delon Mc Allister 13th min
Game 8: Amelia’s Ward Russians 2 – Scorer: Shaun Daniels 11th and Travis Waterton 14th Min
Speighrland 1 – Scorer: Alwin Creighton 4th min
