Last year’s losing finalist Victoria Church Yard got their campaign off to the perfect start, defeating Vryheid Lust 2-0 when the second annual Guinness Greatest of the Streets East Coast Edition commenced at the Haslington Market Square on Saturday.
Keyron Johnson opened the scoring for the winners in the ninth minute with a right footed strike into the right corner of the goal, from the left side of the field.
They almost doubled their lead two minutes later as Nicholas Holder’s right footed effort from the right side of the field, came crashing off the woodwork.
Holder would eventually increase their lead, sealing the comfortable win and a berth in the quarterfinal round in the 17th minute, through a placed right footed effort down the middle of the goal from the right side of the field.
In the second matchup, Beterverwagting (BV)-B brushed aside Plaisance-B. Edun Fraser netted the opener in the 12th minute through a left footed strike to the right side of the net from the left side of the field.
He would seal the win in the 19th minute, netting his double with a shot from the centre of the field which sneaked through the legs of the final defender and rolled down the middle of the goal.
In other results, Melanie-A defeated Mahaica via walkover in the fourth matchup while Paradise squeaked past Ann’s Grove Punters by a 1-0 score line in the sixth fixture. Kwame Alfred netted the winner in the 7th minute.
Melanie-B edged Buxton-A 2-1 on penalty kicks following a 0-0 normal time score while BV-A claimed a walkover win against Ann’s Grove Young Warriors.
Victoria Eagles defeated Golden Grove Superstars 4-3 on sudden death kicks from the halfway line following a 1-1 normal time score while Plaisance defeated Nabaclis 1-0. Action continues at the same venue on Wednesday with the quarterfinal and semi-final matchups. Defending champions Plaisance will engage BV-B while Melanie-B opposes Victoria Eagles.
The final quarterfinal matchup’s will see Paradise opposing Victoria Church Yard United and Melanie-A tackling BV-A. Winners of their respective matchups will be paired in the semi-final stage.
Winners of the event will receive $300,000 and trophy while runners-up will receive $150,000 and trophy. Third and fourth place finishers will collect $75,000 and $50,000 respectively.
The event’s resulting finalists will also automatically qualify to represent the region in the national tournament.
