By Duncan Saul
Sunburst Camptown overcame a determined Kwakwani Strikers team 2-0 and Riddim Squad FC upset a below par Fruta Conquerors FC 1-0 in the latest fixtures of the GFA/Banks Beer Knockout Cup at the GCC Ground, Bourda on Wednesday.
In the curtain raiser, Sunburst Camptown FC showed composure and resilience to surmount a tough Kwakwani Strikers unit. With soggy conditions underfoot, both teams started at a frenetic tempo trying to seize the early initiative.
The elements quickly became a factor as broken plays and robust defending from both sides littered the opening exchanges.
Missed opportunities and vigorous play became increasingly common as both teams struggled to deal with the saturated surface area, which continued to make passing a tough assignment. Finding success through the wider areas, the Campbellville outfit started to look ominous and constantly pressed forward, forcing the Kwakwani outfit on the back foot as they desperately defended as lemon time quickly approached.
The second half continued in the same vein, with both teams trying to gain the upper hand. Plays from the wide areas and deep lobbed passes emphasized the urgency of both units.
Continuing to find their rhythm and range, the Campbellville unit gained the ascendency and almost broke the stalemate, only to be denied brilliantly by Kwakwani’s precocious custodian Deon Jacobs who was as safe as ever between the uprights.
Camptown was dealt a severe blow when they were reduced to 10 men in the 75th minute when Troy “Bugsy” Prescod was shown his second caution for the use of indecent language. This unfortunate turn of events quickly opened the door for the boys from Kwakwani, as they began to throw bodies forward trying to maximize their numerical advantage, only to be held firmly at bay by the resolute backline of the Campbellville outfit. Kwakwani almost broke the deadlock from a neat buildup only for the danger to be desperately cleared off the line.
Throwing caution to the wind, both teams continued to attack trying to find the game winner as it neared its conclusion. Camptown FC finally broke the deadlock through a brilliant finish from their inspirational leader Reshawn Sandiford in the 85th minute from a well-taken free kick sending the large crowd into loud celebrations. Seeing their championship aspirations slipping away, Kwakwani continued to attack relentlessly. The proverbial nail in the coffin was struck in the 89th minute compliments of a well-taken Anthony “Kang” Sancho strike erasing any hope Kwakwani had of salvaging a result.
Doggedness
In the feature contest, Riddim Squad FC displayed doggedness and grit as they upset the highly favoured Fruta Conquerors Football Club in a pulsating encounter. Due to the dodgy playing
area, the opening exchanges started in a cautious manner as both teams struggled to acclimatize themselves to the nature of the surface.
Attacking input was stymied as the game became a physical affair with neither team capable of settling into a creative rhythm. Conquerors began to find their measure, dictating proceedings in the wide area and almost broke the deadlock only to be found wanting in the final third.
The pace of the game quickly increased as both teams tried to gain the upper hand, with rampaging runs the catalyst of many near misses and robust defending the equal on both sides. Clearly getting the better of the exchanges, Conquerors once again lacked the “Midas” touch as they squandered further chances on the precipice of halftime.
The second half continued in the same vein, with both teams trying to assert their will. Inspired by a growing domination of play, the boys from Tucville almost broke the deadlock twice only to be denied valiantly by Riddim Squad’s custodian Dorville Stewart who was simply exceptional between the woodwork.
Conquerors continued to dictate the run of play with the boys from Mocha posing frequent threats. The Tucville unit would rue all the missed chances as the stalemate was magnificently broken by arguably the goal of the tournament compliments of a Sceyon Hope thunderbolt in the 74th minute which sent the packed ground into hysteria.
Shell-shocked, the Conquerors outfit attacked urgently trying to find the all important equalizer, only to be denied by the staunch Riddim Squad defence. The outcome was finally cast in stone as the final whistle sounded sending a wave of emotion through both camps of players and spectators.
Action continues with a quarterfinals double header tonight at the GCC Ground, Bourda with Northern Rangers FC taking on Santos FC in the opening game at 6pm followed by Guyana Defence Force FC tackling Net Rockers FC in the feature event at 8 pm.
