A Domini Garnette hat-trick propelled Grove Hi-Tech into the final of the inaugural ECFA/EDFA /BFA Stag Beer football tourney, defeating New Amsterdam United 3-2 in an emotional charged semi-final on Sunday.
Garnette found the back of the net under wet conditions at the Buxton Community ground in the 17th, 42nd and 117th minutes to secure the hard-fought win. On target in the loss were Jamal Butts and Adrian Adams.
They will now tackle Ann’s Grove on Thursday at the No.#5 ground, West Coast of Berbice, after the latter defeated Cougars 4-3 on penalty kicks following a 1-1 score at the end of normal and regulation time.
In the opening semi-final, Jamal Butts gave the Berbicians the early lead in the 12th minute compliments of a strike into the left corner of the goal from within the right side of the penalty box.
Their lead would be short-lived as Garnette opened his account five minutes onward, placing his effort from within the left side of the area, into the right hand side of the goal.
Garnette would then make his presence felt once more, sealing his double three minutes before the half time interval with another finish into the right corner, after racing onto a pass within the left side of the 18 yard area.
A goal-keeping blunder would lead to a further twist in the tale as a right sided cross was spilt by the Grove custodian, igniting a goal-mouth scramble which allowed Adams to stab home his effort into the right corner to level the fixture.
With the remaining minutes of the second half failing to find a winner, Garnette would seal the matchup under fortuitous circumstances with three minutes left on the clock in the second extra time period.
Lurking within the centre of the box, the wily attacker upon latching onto a botched clearance following a right sided cornerkick, lobbed his effort through the hands of the Berbice shot-stopper into the back of the net, sparking wild celebrations on the playing area.
In the second showdown of the evening, Kevin Bailey gave the East Coast of Demerara unit the initial lead as he found the back of the net compliments of a 61st minute conversion.
However, Cougars would push the matchup into the extra time interval as Sherwin Parris netted in dramatic fashion in the 90th+3 minute.
With the extra time interval unable to decide the outcome, Ann’s Grove would secure their spot in the championship round, converting four out of their allotted five penalty strikes from the mark while reducing Cougars to three conversions.
Cougars FC will now faceoff with New Amsterdam United in the third place showdown.
