Den Amstel overcame Milerock by a 1-0 score line when the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) National Premier League recommenced on Sunday at the Georgetown Football Club ground, Bourda.
Following an opening period in which both sides failed to capitalise on decent scoring opportunities, Travis Hilliman almost opened the scoring for the West Demerara outfit in the 67th minute.
Racing into the centre of the penalty area, Hilliman would drive his first time right footed strike onto the crossbar, after receiving a perfectly placed right sided cross from Jeffrey Perreira with the Milerock custodian well and truly beaten.
Den Amstel would leave it late to grab the eventual winner, scoring in the 87th minute through fortuitous circumstances after a Milerock player in his attempt to clear the ball from inside the crowded penalty area, struck the leg of his own teammate who inadvertently directed the ball into the right hand side of the net.
Winning coach O’Neil Heywood during a post-match comment said: “It was an exciting game but we throw way a lot of goals. Our strikers hit the post two times in the first half and two times in the second half. We brought in a lot of players in the transfer window which enhanced the team. “I am pleased with the performance. It is easy goals we got to put away. The practice now more competitive because the team balanced and have more depth now,” added Heywood.
Bryan Joseph, coach of the Milerock unit during an invited comment said: “I personally was happy with the performance of the team. Definitely the finishing let us down because the team was going through another transition as we lost players in transfer window.
“This game actually saw a brand new centre back pairing. As a matter of fact, three out of the four defenders are brand new. Even at central midfield we had new players. I think it was a game which we could have won easily had we taken our chances and Den Amstel made us pay. The own goal is a harsh way to lose but that’s football,” said Joseph.
In the other two matchups, Santos defeated Mahaica Determinators 2-0 while the feature contest between BK Western Tigers and the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) was rescheduled to a later date which will be announced.
At the No. #5 ground, West Coast of Berbice, the double header between fifth placed Rosignol United and 13th placed Riddim Squad and 16th placed Young Achievers and seventh positioned New Amsterdam United was not played due to the unsuitable surface area.
